Factors Influencing Saudi Mothers’ Success in Exclusive Breastfeeding for the First Six Months of Infant Life: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences (IJMRHS) - Year 2017, Vol 6, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction: Although breastfeeding has been shown to have dual benefts for both infants and their mothers, the global rate of breastfeeding has been declining, especially in Middle Eastern countries. This decline necessitates an urgent exploration of the determinants of breastfeeding practices. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the breastfeeding practices of Saudi mothers, compare them to the guidelines and recommendations of the World Health Organization and to examine the possible determinants of success in exclusive breastfeeding for the frst six months of life. Methods: A quantitative observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 322 selected mothers of children between 6 months and 24 months of age who attended the well-baby clinic at King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh (2015). Results: Although 94.4% of the 322 Saudi mothers were successful in initiating breastfeeding on the frst day of delivery, only 13.7% of all infants were exclusively breastfed at the age of 6 months. Factors predicting exclusive breastfeeding for the frst six months of life in the study sample were previous experience with exclusive breastfeeding and the intention to exclusively breastfeed. In addition, the frequency of breastfeeding on demand at day and night was found to be signifcant. Sources of breastfeeding support are of great concern. Conclusion: The majority of Saudi mothers have suboptimal breastfeeding practices. A cohort study enrolling a larger number of exclusively breastfed infants is needed to gain a full understanding, as are actions to bridge the gap between current breastfeeding practices and the World Health Organization recommendations.
Authors and Affiliations
Nada A Alyousef| Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, Corresponding e-mail: nalyousef@ksu.edu.sa, Ashwag A Alharbi| College of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, Bayan A Almugheerah| College of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, Nourah A Alajmi| College of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, Seham M Alaiyashi| College of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, Shroog S Alharbi| College of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, Zaheah K Alnoumasi| Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP12316
- DOI -
- Views 243
- Downloads 14
ASSESSMENT OF INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD FEEDING PRACTICES AMONG UNDER-3 YEARS CHILDREN IN URBAN SLUMS OF HUBBALLI CITY
Background: Malnutrition is a serious public health problem affecting the growth and development of children which have detrimental effect in later adolescent and adult life. Although Malnutrition is multifaceted probl...
Four Weeks Intervention of Mobile Phone Text Messaging (Let’s Quit!) on Smoking Cessation among University Students: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial
Background: Mobile phone text messaging intervention is one of the newest methods to help people to stop smoking. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness between mobile phone text messaging in...
Effects of ankaferd blood stopper on soft tıssue healıng ın warfarın treated rats
Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) is a new promising local haemostatic agent. Although there are many studies showing its mechanism of haemostasis, histological and biochemical effects of ABS have not been studied in detail....
Assessment the relationship between Testis Cancer incidence and mortality rate with human development index in the European countries in 2012
Testis Cancer (TC) is the most common cancer in 15-39 year-old men and with the white Caucasian race. This cancer consists of 0.7 percent of men’s cancer all over the world. The aim of this study is to investigate the...
The Effect of Gallic Acid on Histopathologic Evaluation of Cerebellum in Valproic Acid-Induced Autism Animal Models
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is counted as a worldwide public health problem. The possible causes of ASD are reactive oxygen species and free radicals. So, this study is aimed to evaluate the effects of Gallic acid, a...