Prelacteal feeding practice and its associated factors among mothers having children less than 2 years of age in East Africa: a multilevel analysis of the recent demographic and health surveys.

In this study, the pooled prevalence of prelacteal feeding is high. Both individual and community level variables were associated with prelacteal feeding practice. Therefore, individual and community-level interventions that encourage mothers to deliver in the health facility and promoting timely initiation of breastfeeding are needed to reduce prelacteal feeding practices in east Africa. Moreover, media campaigns regarding this harmful traditional practice could be strengthened.