Health care workers are important in the promotion, protection and support of breast feeding. Their ability to do this may be influenced by their knowledge, personal experiences and work. This study was to examine challenge of exclusive breast feeding among female nurses and mid-wives in government and private hospitals, Addis Ababa city. Objective: The main objective is to identify challenges for exclusive breast feeding among female nurses and mid-wives in selected government and private

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... tals, Addis Ababa. Methodology: A hospital based cross-sectional study design used on a sample of 349 female nurses and mid-wives from April 13-May 11, 2015. Descriptive statistics and Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed for possible association among variables. Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were computed to determine the level of significance. Results: Exclusive breastfeeding among participant was found to be 23.5% being mid-wife (AOR=3.48 95% CI (1.22, 9.89), a women who gave birth through vaginal delivery AOR=0.289, 95%, CI (.09, 0.84) and resumption of work after 3 month (AOR=8.98 95% CI (4.00, 20.73) were independents associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion and recommendation: Though respondents had adequate knowledge on breast feeding, the practice of exclusive breastfeeding was low. Maternal profession, mode of delivery, the time before resuming work were factors associated with exclusive breast feeding. Appropriate education concerning breastfeeding, organizational support, directed at nurses and midwives is required to enhance EBF and duration of breastfeeding. Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding, nurse and midwives, in Addis Ababa city