Breastfeeding knowledge and attitude among Saudi women in Central Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: To study the knowledge and attitude of Saudi women towards breastfeeding.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted in 3 major hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period 7 July - 22 July 2009. Eight hundred and forty-eight women in the post-natal and post-cesarean section wards were included in the study along with women attending antenatal clinics. An Arabic questionnaire was generated and completed by women.

RESULTS: Of the 848 participating women, 61.5% fell within the age groups between 21-30 years. Most women (49.8%) have a college or higher education. Only 55.8% of women have previously received breastfeeding education, and approximately 54.2% of women received breastfeeding education when they were in the hospital for delivery. Approximately 48.5% preferred mixed feeding, followed by exclusive breastfeeding (36.8%). The most important reasons for discontinuing breastfeeding were: baby was ill (38.2%), a health professional asked mother not to breastfeed for medical reasons (61.1%), mother was sick or needed to take medicine (71.8%), and finally the use of contraception that interferes with milk supply (32.8%).

CONCLUSION: We found that breastfeeding during the first few months of life was not optimal. The percentage of exclusive breastfeeding was low despite high level of their education. Mixed feeding was the predominant mode of feeding, which raised the need for targeted breastfeeding education. Health care providers should be encouraged to continuously educate women on the benefits of breastfeeding.