Table 1 Summary of the characteristics of studies

Wolde et al. [26] 2014

Ethiopia

To determine the KAP related to EBF among lactating women in Bedelle town, Southwestern Ethiopia

Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

The questionnaire that was used to assess the KAP with structure interviewer

Jino et al. [27] 2013

Rwanda

To assess the KAP of urban refugee women regarding the EBF in order to promote its practice among this group of population and increase the number of women who adhere to it for improving the development of their children.

Descriptive cross-sectional study

The questionnaire that was used to determine the KAP

Girard et al. [28]

2012 Kenya

To investigate associations between indicators of food insecurity and attitudes and beliefs about EBF.

Cross-sectional quantitative and qualitative

Mixed methods’ to collect a combination of qualitative and quantitative data through focus group discussion and interviews with structured and open-ended r responses.

Mohamed et al. [29]

2018 Kenya

To compare the KAP on EBF between primiparous and multiparous mothers attending Wajir County Hospital, Kenya, and investigated the association between maternal KA and EBF.

Cross-sectional comparative study

The researcher and research assistants administered the

questionnaire to the sampled women in a one-time face to

face interview with each mother at the MCH clinic

at the hospital,

Alamirew et al. [30]

2017 Ethiopia

To assess KA towards EBF among mothers attending antenatal care and immunization clinic in Dabat Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016.

Descriptive cross-sectional

A questionnaire was collected by using pretested, structured interview to assess knowledge and attitude towards EBF among mothers

Adrawa et al. [31] 2018

Uganda

To assess information on the level of KA of EBF among breastfeeding mothers in the Adjumani District in the West Nile Region of Uganda.

Descriptive cross-sectional

Interviewer administered survey questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data.

Petit et al. [32] 2010

Uganda

To assess the perception and knowledge on EBF practice among mothers attending antenatal and infant follow up clinics in Mbarara hospital, Uganda in August 2008

Descriptive Cross-sectional study.

The use of a self-administered structured questionnaire.

Asfaw et al. [33] 2015

Ethiopia

To investigate the KAP towards EBF among mothers who have children aged below 12 months and to determine factors influencing EBF practice.

Cross-sectional community- based survey

The data were collected using an interview method by pretested questionnaires to investigate the KAP

Nkala et al. [34] 2011

Tanzania

To assess the prevalence of EBF and its predictors in the Kigoma Municipality, Western Tanzania.

Cross-sectional study

A questionnaire was used to gather information on demographic characteristics, knowledge of EBF, infant feeding practices, and HIV status.

Gewa et al. [35] 2016

Kenya

To determine the relationships among mothers’ knowledge, outcome expectancies, normative beliefs, and cessation of EBF in rural Kenya.

Cross-sectional study

A questionnaire consisting of both closed and open-ended questions to assess breastfeeding KP of EBF, outcome expectancies, social norms, and household socio-economic status and demographics as detailed below.

Bayissa et al. [36] 2015

Ethiopia

To examine the KP of women and identify associated factors towards EBF

Cross-sectional study

The interviewer-administered the questionnaire to examine KP.

Wana et al. [37] 2017

Ethiopia

To examine the KAP on EBF of childbearing women in Boditi town, Southern Ethiopia

Cross-sectional study

The data was collected using an interview administered questionnaire with close-ended types of the question by face to face interviews with participants.

Ballo et al. [38] 2016

Ethiopia

To investigate the KAP and determinant factors of EBF on point in time data collection from women attended their last delivery in the health facility.

Cross-sectional study

Interviewed through the phone through structured questioner to assess KAP

Tadele et al. [39] 2016

Ethiopia

To examine KAP towards EBF among breastfeeding women in Mizan Aman town, South West Ethiopia

Descriptive cross-sectional

Study

Structured interviewer-administered questionnaire using ‘recall since birth’ method was conducted in April 2015to assess KAP

Warillea et al. [40]

2017 South Sudan

To determine the KP and identify factors affecting the success of EBF during their babies first 6 months among women with infants now aged between 9 and 12 months attending the immunization and the outpatient clinics at Al-Sabah Hospital, Juba

Cross-sectional descriptive

A questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic status, birth-related events, KP to EBF, sources of breastfeeding education, and family support.

Shirima et al. [41] 2001, Tanzania

To identify factors related to early infant feeding practices

Cross-sectional study

Data were collected using structured and interviewer

administered questionnaire