Abstract
Background The WHO recommends that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development, and health. Nonadherence to exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) depends largely on the individual, sociocultural context, and institutional factors. The aim of this study is to estimate coverage and factors associated with adherence to EBF among mothers in the urban Hail region, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out during February–June 2019 among 450 mothers of children aged 6–24 months attending immunization and well-baby clinics in 6 primary healthcare centers in Hail city. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to interview the consented participants. Results The majority of mothers (72.9%) were aware of EBF; 24% reported initiation of breastfeeding within one hour after delivery; however, 71.1% did during the first 24 hours. The majority (76.8%) fed colostrum to their newborn; nevertheless, 50.1% had given a prelacteal feeding. Mothers who reported EBF practice were 50.7% (CI 45.9–55.4). The adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that mother's awareness about EBF (aOR 3.03; 95% CI 1.78–5.18), antenatal care received at the governmental facility (aOR 2.63; 95% CI 1.28–5.41), breastfeeding a previous child (aOR 2.42; 95% CI 1.46–4.03), counseling received after delivery (aOR 2.47; 95% CI 1.34–4.53), and colostrum feeding given (aOR 4.24; 95% CI 2.31–7.77) were positively associated with EBF practice. On the other hand, mother's education (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.15–0.99), higher family income (aOR 0.04; 95% CI 0.00–0.31), and practice prelacteal feeding (aOR 0.61; 95% CI 0.38–0.97) were negatively associated with EBF practice. Conclusion EBF rate in urban Hail is still far below WHO recommendations. Efforts to strengthen mothers' counseling/support during antenatal care and immediately after delivery are needed to promote EBF practice, especially in the private sector.
Highlights
Breastfeeding is an investment in health, not just a lifestyle decision
There are several studies identifying rates and factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), still there is a need to assess rates and understand the specific factors that impact the promotion of breastfeeding at the local level. is area of knowledge is recognized by the WHO as a gab and considered it a research priority [13]. erefore, this study aimed to identify the prevalence and factors associated with the practice of EBF among mothers in Hail city, Saudi Arabia
According to the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the following factors were positively associated with EBF practice: (i) mother’s awareness about EBF (odds ratio (OR) 3.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.78–5.18), (ii) antenatal care received at governmental healthcare setting, (iii) history of breastfeeding of the previous child, (iv) breastfeeding counseling received after delivery, and (v) colostrum feeding given for the baby
Summary
Breastfeeding is an investment in health, not just a lifestyle decision. It provides unmatched health benefits for babies and mothers. Infants who are breastfed have reduced risks of asthma, obesity, Type 1 diabetes, severe lower respiratory disease, acute otitis media, sudden infant death syndrome, gastrointestinal infections, and necrotizing enterocolitis for preterm infants [1, 2]. Studies have shown an inverse relationship between exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and infant mortality rates in developing countries [3], so that. E WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recommend that children be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life—meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water [1]. The global picture falls short of these standards, as only about 40% of infants aged 0–6 months old are exclusively breastfed [5]. is is far below the widely accepted “universal coverage” target
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