Breast-feeding practices in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Breast feeding is healthful for both the infant and mother alike. The life style in the Kingdom has changed drastically during the last two decades. Child obesity is emerging as a health risk and early weaning practices might play pivotal role in this aspect. The aim of this study is to investigate the factors that affect infant feeding practices. Mothers of 650 children aged five years or less at the time of the study who visited 10 Primary Health Care Centers [PHCC] in Riyadh City which were selected randomly from each of 5 regional zones participated in this study.65 subjects fom each PHCC were chosen by systemic random sampling from attending mothers during the three month study period. Socioeconomic data of parents was collected and mothers were interviewed using a questionnaire about breastfeeding, mixed feeding and weaning practices by trained nutrition students. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was tested before final data collection. Data analysis was done using SPSS. X2 was used to test if there is any significance or correlation between socioeconomic variables and infant feeding practices. The results were considered statistically significant if p<0.05.83% of the subjects were Saudis and the 66.2% of the children were below one year of age. The mothers' age is between 26-35 years and only 8.4% of them were illiterates.92% of the fathers were of university education and the monthly family income was in the range of 4-7 thousand Saudi Riyals [1 US$ = 3.75 Saudi Riyals].43% of the mothers mentioned that nobody advised them about breast-feeding while 34% and 11% were advised by their mothers and nurses respectively. As the family income or education levels increased or the mother is employed, the duration of breastfeeding decreased. As the mothers' education increased, the cited reason for weaning was that there is no enough milk. However, a second pregnancy discovery was the cited reason for weaning by mothers of low educational level. Soiling the breast method of weaning is significantly correlated with high income of the family, working mother and education of the parents while separating the child method of weaning is opposite that seen in the soiling of breast practice in relation to income or education of parents. Breast-feeding practice is declining among Saudi mothers especially among high income and high education level of the parents. Breast-feeding promotion programs are needed and the benefit of breastfeeding for both the baby and mother should be emphasized