Abstract

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF BREASTFEEDING AMONG MOTHERS IN HAIL AND ALJOUF CITIES, NORTHWESTERN SAUDI ARABIA.

Amjad S. Alshlaqy, Jawza A. Almarzouq, Rawabi S. Alanezi*, Reem M. Alshamnari, Reem Z. Aldogeman

ABSTRACT

Background: inappropriate practice or limited awareness of breastfeeding may lead to undesirable consequences. The aim of this study was to evaluate practice, knowledge and attitude to breastfeeding and to assess factors associated with breastfeeding among mothers in Hail and Aljouf. Methods: A cross sectional study using a questionnaire was carried out between 26 October 2016 and 1 April 2017. A total of 500 women with children since birth up to 10 years of age from two different city in the north of Saudi Arabia were randomly selected. Knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding was collected by a questionnaire. Results: A total of 500 women whose education was mainly university (64.1%), High school (18.8%), above university (6.4%), intermediate (5.6%), uneducated (3%) and primary (2%) were included in the study. Most of the mothers (85.2%) n= 415 aware about breast-feeding were (14.8%) n=72 are not aware about it. Conclusion: This study revealed that there has been a marked increase in the awareness and the attitude of breast-feeding in Hail and Aljouf cities.

Keywords: Breastfeeding; Knowledge, Practice, Attitude, Hail, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia.