Exclusive Breastfeeding in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life. The objective of this study was to assess the exclusive breastfeeding rate among infants and its predictors in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia. Mothers attending for vaccinating their infants at the age of 6 months at primary healthcare centers were interviewed. Various sociodemographic variables, obstetric and infant factors, and breastfeeding practices were assessed for any influence on exclusive breastfeeding. Only 24.4% of infants were exclusively breastfed at the age of 6 months. Logistic regression revealed that the independent predictors of exclusive breastfeeding were (in order) being a housewife mother (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]= 4.7), infant on-demand feeding (odds ratio =3.4), not giving prelacteal feed (AOR= 3.1), rural/hegar residence (AOR= 2.2), timely breastfeeding initiation (AOR= 2.0), average-weight infants (AOR= 1.8), and spontaneous vaginal delivery (AOR =1.6). Mothers at risk of not breastfeeding exclusively should be the target of breastfeeding promotion during prenatal care. Working mothers should continue breastfeeding after returning to work.