Factors Associated with the Early Introduction of Complementary Feeding in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Mothers’ instigation of complementary feeding before their infant reaches 6 months old risks shortening their breastfeeding duration, and high morbidity and mortality for their child. Complementary feeding practices require further investigation in Saudi Arabia. The present study aims to evaluate complementary feeding practices, and to establish which factors are associated with the early introduction of complementary feeding in the Saudi Arabian context. Cross-sectional research was conducted with 632 mothers of infants aged between 4 and 24 months attending five primary health care centers (PHCCs) between July and December 2015 in Saudi Arabia. Data on participants’ socio-demographic characteristics and complementary feeding practices were collected via structured questionnaires. A regression analysis identified the factors associated with the early introduction of solid foods, defined as before 17 weeks. 62.5% of the study’s infants received solid foods before reaching 17 weeks old. The maternal factors at higher risk of early introduction of solids were: younger age; Saudi nationality; shorter education; employment within 6 months post-birth; caesareans; not breastfeeding fully for six weeks post-birth, and living in low-income households. Complementary feeding prior to 6 months postpartum was common in Saudi Arabia. Public health interventions are needed to reduce early complementary feeding, focusing on mothers at highest risk of giving solids too early.

WITHDRAWN: Non-Exclusive Breast Feeding And Its Factors In The First 6-Month Life of Infants Among Mother-Infant Pairs of 6 to 12 months In Debre Tabor Town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2019: Community Based cross sectional Study.

“…The study done in Saudi Arabia consistent with this study, Employed (AOR=6.39) more likely practice EICF before 6 months compared to Not Employed (22). And study done in Indonesia working mothers (AOR=1.45) were significant association with NEBF compared to non-working mothers (29).…”

Exclusive Breastfeeding Survival And Factors Related to Early Breastfeeding Cessation in Indonesia

“…It can cause infections when babies consume microbial contaminated foods. Their gastrointestinal systems are not fully developed [21,22].…”

Evaluation of complementary feeding knowledge and behavior of mothers with children between four-twenty four months

“…Beş Avrupa ülkesini kapsayan bir çalışmada annenin sigara içmesi, eğitim düzeyinin düşük olması, genç olması ve düşük sosyoekonomik durum ile tamamlayıcı beslenmeye erken başlama arasında anlamlı ilişki saptanmıştır [17]. Suudi Arabistan'da yapılan bir çalışmada çalışan, 12 yıl altında eğitim görmüş olan ve genç annelerin tamamlayıcı beslenmeye erken başladıkları saptanmıştır [18]. Kaya ve ark.…”

“…yaptığı çalışmada anne sütünün yetmemesi, bebeğin doymadığı düşüncesi, bebeğin yeni tatlara alışması için ve doktor tavsiyesi en sık erken başlama sebebi olarak saptanmıştır [21]. Yurtdışında yapılan çalışmalarda ise annenin bebeğin aç olduğunu hissetmesi ve bebeğinin ek gıda alacak kadar büyüdüğünü düşünmesi en sık sebepler olarak saptanmıştır [18,22]. Bebeğinin kilo almasında ve anne sütünde azalma olması, sağlık çalışanın önerisi ve bebeğin istekli olması bizim çalışmamızda en sık erken tamamlayıcı beslenmeye başlama sebepleriydi.…”