Cultural and Physical Factors Affecting Discontinuation of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Primipara Women.

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is defined as the practice of providing only breast-milk for an infant for the first 6 months of life without the addition of any other food or water, which recommends initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of life and continued breastfeeding for up to 2 years of age or more accordingly and it is the foundation of child survival and health, The aim of the Study: The present study aims to assess culture and physical factors affecting discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding among primipara women. Design: A descriptive study was used. Setting: The current study was conducted at the breastfeeding clinic at Maternity Hospital Ain Shams University, because it had increased the flow rate and availability of the sample needed to fulfill the registration in the study. Sample: A Convenient sample of 250 Primipara women was recruited on the study. Data collection tools: A Structured Interviewing questionnaire schedule. Results: The result of the present study reveals that the physical factors, 66.0% and 55.2% of the studied sample reported that Breast problems and complications during and after childbirth respectively .cultural factors 83.2%, 64.8% and 54.8% of the studied sample mentioned that advice from family members or friends, inadequate milk supply and mentioned Modern formulas as nearly the same as breast milk respectively and 65.6% of the studied women had incorrect knowledge .Conclusion: Factors affecting discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding among primipara women are about two fifths of studied women reported that the physical factors and more than one third of studied women had culture factors and less than two thirds of the studied women had incorrect knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding . Recommendations: Raise awareness about the knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding using mass media. Breastfeeding promotion programs should work hard to raise maternal awareness about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.