Maternal Factors Influencing Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices in the First Six Months of Infant Life in the Sudair and Al Zulfi Areas of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study aims to determine the prevalence of and maternal factors that are associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in Sudair and Al Zulfi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was undertaken by means of recruiting 522, mother-infant pairs with infants aged six months. These participants were attending the Well-Baby Clinics in Sudair and Al Zulfi from January 1st to April 30th, 2016, using a pilot-tested Arabic questionnaire. The EBF prevalence was determined via the “recall since birth” technique and regression analysis. EBF prevalence among mothers of infants (6 months) was 17.1%. Mothers’ insights of insufficient milk were the most recurrently reported reason (42.5%) for not practising exclusive breastfeeding. Saudi mothers (adjusted odds ratio: 10.06; 95% confidence interval: 8.46, 12.53), mothers aged 28–38 years (36.03; 1.96, 62.21), mothers who attended breastfeeding health education (90.52; 5.49, 134.8), multiparous mothers (67.25; 5.83, 122.8), and mothers with housekeeping availability (19.59; 1.36, 281.47) were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding in comparison to their counterparts. EBF rates in both areas are far below the WHO recommended level. The mother’s nationality, age, parity, breastfeeding health education, and housekeeping availability were essential determinants to the practice EBF. Thus, aggressive multisectoral governmental interventions should be made to promote as well as support breastfeeding.