Abstract:
Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a common worldwide problem with its prevalence
magnified in infants. Nearly 50% of world population were exposed to vitamin D deficiency
from them infants‟ accounts 7% to 45% due to lack of sunlight exposure. Despite a large part
of Africa lying within the tropics and subtropics, poor practice on sunlight exposure is still
seen in infants in many African countries including Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess practice and factors affecting sunlight exposure of infants among
mothers living in Duna Woreda, Hadiya zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia, 2023.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 612 mothers
selected by Systematic random sampling technique; from April 18, 2023 up to May 2, 2023.
Data were collected by interviewer administered questionnaire. Data were entered using Epi data version 3.1 and analyzed using statistical product and service solutions, version 25.0. A
logistic regression model was used to identify associated factors. Variables at p-value <0.25
in the bi-variable analysis were candidate variables for multi-variable analysis and statistical
significance was declared at p-value <0.05.
Results: A total of 582 women were participated in this study making a response rate of
95.0%. Of the participants, 372 (63.9%) (95% CI: 59.8%, 68%) had poor sunlight exposure
practice. The main factors associated with poor practice of sunlight exposure were maternal
age group 18-25(AOR = 2.82 (95%, CI:1.49,5.34)), no formal education (AOR = 6.68 (95%,
CI: 3.11,14.38)), family size 1-3 (AOR=0.2 (95%,CI:0.09,0.38)), didn‟t get advice during
delivery (AOR=3.05 (95%CI=1.31,7.09)), didn‟t get advice during antenatal care follow up
period, (AOR=2.27 (95%CI=1.39,3.73)), poor knowledge level (AOR = 6.68 (95%, CI:
3.11,14.38)) and negative attitude about practice of sunlight exposure of infants AOR=4.29
(95%CI=2.85,6.46)).
Conclusion and recommendation: According to the result of this study nearly two third of
the mothers had poor sunlight exposure practice of infants. Statistically significant variables
also Mothers‟ age, Family size, Educational status of mother, Advice during delivery, Advice
during antenatal care, Attitude, and Level of knowledge.
Keywords: sunlight exposure, mother practice, infants, Duna woreda.
