Knowledge and practices of women in Monastir, Tunisia regarding breastfeeding
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Abstract
0We assessed the prevalence of breastfeeding and its determinants and mothers' knowledge and practices towards this issue among 354 women attending primary health centres for their child's 6- month vaccination in the region of Monastir in 2008. The mean age of the women was 30 [SD 5.5] years. Most [90.8%] knew that breastfeeding helped prevent infections in babies but only 38.5% knew that breast milk supplies all infant feeding needs until 6 months of age. While was 94.4% breastfed their babies to start, only 1.9% continued exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months. Main reasons for stopping breastfeeding were perceived breast milk insufficiency followed by return to work. Exclusive breastfeeding over 3 months was associated with skin-to-skin contact [OR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.016-3.69] and mothers' knowledge about breast milk benefits [OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.2-6.6] Early weaning was related to using pacifiers and breast-milk substitutes [OR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.08-0.36 and OR = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.05-0.38 respectively]Citation
Bouanene, I., El Mhamdi, S., Sriha, A., Bouslah, A. & Soltani, M. (2010). Knowledge and practices of women in Monastir, Tunisia regarding breastfeeding. EMHJ - Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 16 (8), 879-885, 2010 https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/117954