Abstract
Title
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF BREAST FEEDING AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKING MOTHERS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTERS OF PRINCE AHMAD SECTOR, MAKKAH ALMUKARRAMAH, SAUDI ARABIA
Author
Manal ALFahmi*
Email
doctor-manal@hotmail.com
keyword
Breastfeeding Female Physicians, Exclusive, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice.
Abstract
The World Health Organization recommends that all mothers should breastfeed their babies exclusively for 6 months. Nevertheless, some mothers do not know that and some mothers may be reluctant to follow this recommendation. To assess Breast feeding knowledge, attitude and practice of female health care working mothers in primary health care centers of Prince Ahmad Sector, in Makkah ALMukarramah, July, 2012 as well as to determine the barriers of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of their infants life. This research followed a cross-sectional design, included all healthcare working mothers (Physicians, Nurses and Technicians), who have a child aged six months to three years, working in primary health care centers of prince Ahmad sector within the city of Makkah, Makkah ALMukarramah region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the study period July, 2012. And were asked to fill in a self administered validated questionnaire to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice of breast feeding. Data were collected by questionnaire consists of four parts: Personal characteristics (six items), Knowledge of mother (twenty items), Breast feeding practice (eight items) and finally, attitude of mothers toward breast feeding (ten items). This study included a total of 70 female health care working mothers of children aged between 6months to three years, the female health care working mothers were recruited from the primary health care centers within the Prince Ahmad sector during the month of July 2012. More than half of mothers were 30-40 years (51.4%), with a mean+SD of 31.6+4.6 years. The last child’s age of more than half of mothers was 12-24 months (52.9%), with a mean+SD of 17.4+9.8 months. Only 38.6% of participant mothers breastfed their babies exclusively for at least six months. More than half of participant mothers did not continue breastfeeding their babies till the second year (55.7%). More than half of participant mothers started artificially feeding their babies without consulting a physician (52.9%), and 40% of mothers frequently changed the supplementary milk. The main reasons stated by participant mothers for starting artificial feeding were work-related obstacles (41.4%), insufficient breast milk (17.1%) and refusal of their child to be breastfed (15.7%). Mean knowledge scores were significantly higher among physicians than nurses or technicians (p=0.004) and were also significantly higher among mothers who underwent a Caesarian section than those who had vaginal delivery (p=0.026). Exclusive breast feeding was significantly less practiced by the youngest (i.e., <30 years) and the eldest mothers (i.e., >40 years) (p=0.042). Exclusive breast feeding was significantly less practiced by technicians (p<0.001) and mothers who underwent Caesarian sections (p=0.018). There are areas of lack of knowledge among female health care workers regarding exclusive breastfeeding. And only one third of health care workers in Makkah ALMukarramah, exclusively breastfeed their babies for 6 months. Most female health care workers do not continue breastfeeding their babies till the second year. The main reasons for early starting artificial feeding are work-related obstacles, insufficient breast milk and the refusal of the child to be breastfed.
