Breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and practice among school teachers in Abha female educational district, southwestern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundInadequate knowledge, or inappropriate practice, of breastfeeding may lead to undesirable consequences. The aim of this study was to assess breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) among female teachers in the Abha Female Educational District and identify factors that may affect breastfeeding practice in the study population.MethodsA cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among school teachers in Abha Female Educational District during the months of April to June, 2011. Breastfeeding KAP of participants who had at least one child aged five years or younger at the time of the study were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire, based on their experience with the last child.ResultsA total of 384 women made up of 246 (61.1%) primary-, 89 (23.2%) intermediate- and 49 (12.8%) high-school teachers participated in the study. One hundred and nineteen participants (31%) started breastfeeding their children within one hour of delivery, while exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months was reported only by 32 (8.3%) participants. Insufficient breast milk and work related problems were the main reasons given by 169 (44%) and 148 (38.5%) of participants, respectively, for stopping breastfeeding before two years. Only 33 participants (8.6%) had attended classes related to breastfeeding. However, 261 participants (68%) indicated the willingness to attend such classes, if available, in future pregnancies.ConclusionsThis study revealed that breast milk insufficiency and adverse work related issues were the main reasons for a very low rate of exclusive breastfeeding among female school teachers in Abha female educational district, Saudi Arabia. A very low rate of attending classes addressing the breastfeeding issues during pregnancy, and an alarming finding of a high percentage of babies receiving readymade liquid formula while still in hospital, were also brought out by the present study. Such findings, if addressed comprehensively by health care providers and decision-makers, will lead to the improvement of breastfeeding practices in the study community.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Exclusive Breastfeeding among Lactating Mothers, Mizan Aman Town, Southwestern Ethiopia: Descriptive Cross Sectional Study

“…Our EBF findings were similar to a study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia which found 29.3 % prevalence of EBF under six months [9], while it was higher than a study in Abha female educational district, Saudi Arabia in which EBF for 6 months was reported only by 8.3 % of participants (n = 32) [6] and a study in Kinshasa, Congo that found only 2.8 % of infants were exclusively breastfed (n =12) [7].…”

“…In Saudi Arabia only by 8.3 % (n = 32) of the 384 participants EBF for 6 months [6]. In a study in Congo, 87.5 % of infants were EBF during the maternity stay, but by six months, only 2.8 % (n = 12) of infants were exclusively breastfed [7].…”

Assessment of Prevalence of Exclusive Breast Feeding Practice and Associated Factors among Under Six-Month-Old Children Selected Woreda South Nation Nationality of People Regional State, Ethiopia, 2016

“…But, this finding was higher than that of the national prevalence, 52% {32}. The prevalence of exclusive breast feeding in this study higher than that of reported in previous study in Brazil, 4%, Bangladesh, 16%, Saudi Arabia, 8.3 %, Rwanda, 38%, Congo, 2.8%, Malaysia, 43.1%, Nigeria ,16.4%, Meerut, 34.8% [13][14][15][16][17]33,35]. In Ethiopia reported low prevalence in Mizan Aman town, 26.4 %, Addis Ababa ,29.3 %, North Gondar, 35.9%, Southern Ethiopia, 48.2%, Arba Minch Zuria, 55.6% , Gedeo , 57.6 %, Debre Markos, 60.8%, District of Debre Markos town and Gozamen, 55% and 64% respectively [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26].…”

“…Study showed that the prevalence of EBF in Brazil 4% , Bangladesh 16%, Rwanda 38%, Saudi Arabia 8.3 %, Congo 2.8 %, of infants were exclusively breastfed [14][15][16][17]. In Ethiopia the range of prevalence of EBF less than six months were 24.4 % -81.1% [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29].…”

A Phenomenological Study on Understanding of Mothers' Knowledge on Breast Feeding Practices in Malaysia

“…It is contrary with the scientific fact that colostrum contains antibodies that is crucial to baby's health 2 . This customary belief was accustomed in other ethnicities, all over the world 1,19 . Mothers in this study also linked breastfeeding to the psychological development few studies in Malaysian found similar results 21. It could be observed that mothers would associate breastfeeding and motherhood as beautiful experience that woman can have the entire life.…”