Knowledge, attitude, motivation and planning of breastfeeding: a cross-sectional study among Jordanian women

Abstract

Background: In Jordan, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding is declining. The trend variation in breastfeeding practice is determined by different factors including antenatal women's attitude and planning which are affected by their awareness and the support they receive. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitude, support, and planning of breastfeeding among Jordanian women. Methods: A face-to-face cross-sectional semi-structured questionnaire survey was conducted among healthy women in the antenatal clinic and postpartum ward at three hospitals in Northern Jordan during the period August 2019 to December 2019. Data were collected about demographic characteristics, women's knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding, antenatal and postnatal support and counseling, and feeding planning. Customized scales were utilized to assess knowledge and attitude. Factors associated with planning to breastfeed were reported. Results: 660 women completed the survey questionnaire. The majority were 20 to 35 years of age, 10% were primiparous, and 30% were employed. 78% were knowledgeable about breastfeeding benefits and aware of WHO recommendations. 72% had a positive attitude towards breastfeeding. More than half received support from their husbands to breastfeed their infants, while less than 20% received any counseling from their obstetric providers. 97% reported their intention to breastfeed, and more than half indicated their willingness to breastfeed exclusively. With multivariable logistic regression modelling, predictors of EBF planning include: primiparity (AOR 1.79; 95% CI 1.1, 3.25), positive attitude (AOR 1.80; 95% CI 1.05, 3.1) and positive husband's support (AOR 1.92; 95% CI 1.18, 3.15). Barriers include women's employment (AOR 0.43; 95% CI 0.26, 0.70) and low birthweight (AOR 0.46; 95% CI 0.25, 0.84). Conclusion: Jordanian women are highly knowledgeable about breastfeeding benefits, and they exhibit a positive attitude towards breastfeeding resulting in a very high percentage intending to breastfeed their infants. Limited counseling about breastfeeding is a major gap in antenatal care. As intentions might not reflect the actual practice after delivery, gaps and barriers affecting the determinants of successful breastfeeding should be identified, and corrective tools should be implemented accordingly. Allocating a specific time for antenatal or postnatal counseling and support is expected to promote breastfeeding practice in our population.

Prenatal breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and intention, and their associations with feeding practices during the first six months of life: a cohort study in Lebanon and Qatar

“…As infant feeding decisions appear to be made prenatally [ 18 ], pregnant women represent a key population of interest for characterizing the culturally prevalent norms, knowledge, and attitude towards BF, and for identifying misconceptions and negative perceptions that may lead to inadequate BF practices [ 19 – 21 ]. Studies have shown that the determinants of BF initiation, duration, and exclusivity are multifactorial and operate at multiple levels [ 10 , 11 , 22 – 29 ]. They include demographic and socioeconomic factors such as maternal age, education, parity, monthly income, and mother’s working status [ 23 ]; community support and structural factors; sociocultural beliefs and misconceptions prevalent in the community and among healthcare practitioners [24─26], as well as personal factors such as knowledge about the benefits of BF [ 27 ].…”

“…The intention to breastfeed is in turn influenced by maternal knowledge and attitude towards BF as well as the mother’s prior exposure to BF [ 31 , 32 ]. Several cross-sectional studies conducted among pregnant women have established a link between BF exposure, knowledge, and attitude, with the intention to BF prenatally [ 20 , 23 , 29 , 33 ]. However, few studies have investigated, longitudinally, the association between these maternal prenatal attributes and actual BF practices postnatally [ 22 , 34 ].…”

“…Gaining a deeper understanding of the context-specific determinants of infant feeding practices is vital for the development of more effective BF promotion programs and informing local policies [ 36 ]. This may be particularly true for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), a region where the prevalence of EBF for the first six months postnatally does not exceed 30% [ 9 , 37 ], and where data on the determinants of infant feeding practices are scarce [ 10 , 11 , 23 , 29 , 33 ].…”

Association between Breastfeeding Attitudes and Postpartum Depression among Mothers with Premature Infants during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Although research documenting breastfeeding attitudes has previously been published in various settings in Malaysia [10][11][12], to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in Malaysia to employ a validated IIFAS scale to measure the breastfeeding attitudes of mothers with premature infants in NICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was found that the average score for breastfeeding attitude (66.30 ± 6.92) is above the cut-off point (≥65), indicating that these mothers had a positive attitude towards breastfeeding.…”

“…Breastfeeding attitude, which encompasses belief and knowledge, is defined as women's predisposition to express feelings, thoughts, and behaviours associated with a psychological mindset in developing their breastfeeding behaviour [10]. A previous study evidenced that mothers with a positive attitude are highly knowledgeable about breastfeeding [11] and intend to undertake actual and exclusive breastfeeding [12].…”