BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding performance index is an explanatory attempt to summarize key breastfeeding practices by summarizing the different dimensions of breastfeeding practices into a single summary variable. Breastfeeding performance index is used to assess optimal breastfeeding practices by constructing a single composite index that includes timely initiation of breastfeeding, prelacteal feeding, current breastfeeding status, bottle feeding, any liquid given(except medicine) in the last 24  h, formula given in the last 24  h, any solid food given in the last 24  h. This study aimed to assess optimal breastfeeding practices of 0-6 month @entity1 using breastfeeding performance index (BPI) and its association with @entity221 in Ethiopia. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was carried out based on the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 2011 data. The BPI was created using seven components by giving equal weight for all components during scoring. The data were described using descriptive statistics and analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of low, medium, and high BPI was 18.41, 57.96 and 23.63  % respectively. The mean BPI score was 4.38 (SD 1.25; 95  % CI 4.31, 4.45). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that those @entity1 who had low BPI score were 2.22 times (AOR   =   2.22; 95  % CI 1.20, 4.11) and medium BPI category had 2.15 times at higher odds (AOR   =   2.15; 95  % CI 1.23, 3.75) of developing @entity294 compared to @entity1 in the highest BPI category. Being in the lower BPI category was significantly associated with higher odds of having @entity221 (AOR   =   1.73; 95  % CI 1.06, 2.80). Being in the medium index category was also associated with higher odds of having short and rapid breaths (AOR   =   2.02; 95  % CI 1.01, 4.04). CONCLUSION: More than 80  % of the @entity1 did not receive optimal breastfeeding practices based on the Breastfeeding Performance Index. Lower BPI was statistically associated with @entity294 , @entity221 and short and rapid breaths illness in the last 2 weeks. This study implicates the importance of optimal breastfeeding to reduce @entity221 .

Higher breastfeeding performance index is associated with lower risk of illness in XXXX under six months in Ethiopia.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['infants'] @entity294 :: ('MESH:D003967', 'Disease') :: ['diarrhea'] @entity221 :: ('MESH:D005334', 'Disease') :: ['childhood illness', 'fever']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['infants']
