Patterns and determinants of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices of Emirati Mothers in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

BackgroundBreastfeeding is the preferred method of feeding for the infant. The present study aimed at investigating the different infant feeding practices and the influencing factors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).MethodsA convenient sample of 593 Emirati mothers who had infants up to 2 years of age was interviewed. The interviews included a detailed questionnaire and conducted in the Maternal and Child Health Centers (MCH) and Primary Health Centers (PHC) in three cities.ResultsAlmost all the mothers in the study had initiated breastfeeding (98%). The mean duration of breastfeeding was 8.6 months. The initiation and duration of breastfeeding rates were influenced by mother’s age (P<0.034)and education(P<0.01), parity(OR=2.13; P<0.001), rooming in(OR=21.70; P<0.001), nipple problem(P<0.010) and use of contraception(P<0.034). As for the feeding patterns, the results of the multiple logistic analyses revealed that rooming in (OR=4.48; P<0.001), feeding on demand (OR=2.29; P<0.005) and feeding more frequently at night (P<0.001) emerged as significant factors associated with exclusive or predominantly breastfeeding practices. Among the 593 infants in the study, 24.1% had complementary feeding, 25% of the infants were exclusively breastfed, and 49.4% were predominantly breastfed since birth. About 30% of the infants were given nonmilk fluids such as: Anis seed drink (Yansun), grippe water and tea before 3 months of age. The majority of the infants (83.5%) in the three areas received solid food before the age of 6 months. A variety of reasons were reported as perceived by mothers for terminating breastfeeding. The most common reasons were: new pregnancy (32.5%), insufficient milk supply (24.4%) and infant weaned itself (24.4%).ConclusionsIn conclusion, infant and young child feeding practices in this study were suboptimal. There is a need for a national community-based breastfeeding intervention programme and for the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding as part of a primary public health strategy to decrease health risks and problems in the UAE.

Facilitators and Barriers to Exclusive Breastfeeding in Thailand: A Narrative Review

“…Breast conditions have been reported as a barrier in other studies conducted in the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Africa, and South America [113,117,121,125,126]. Short maternity leave, shift work and a lack of workplace support were reported as barriers in the review, which is consistent with findings in other countries [113,119,127].…”

“…Mother's breastfeeding knowledge, such as knowing the advantages of breastfeeding and being aware of how to express and store breast milk, were also identified as facilitators of EBF. These findings are corroborated by various studies in other parts of the world [3,113,114]. Similarly, in the South East Asian region, a study conducted in Laos found that mothers older than 35 years tended to continue EBF for a year, although in contrast, those with low economic status were more likely to continue to breastfeed [115].…”

“…Additional barriers related to the mother were being a first time mother, her physical condition (such as nipple problems and breast pain) and negative attitudes to breastfeeding. Other studies in various countries and regions [Pakistan, Zimbabwe, United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Uganda, West Africa and China] have identified insufficient breast milk supply reported as a barrier to 6 months EBF by mothers [113,114,117,[120][121][122][123][124]. Breast conditions have been reported as a barrier in other studies conducted in the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Africa, and South America [113,117,121,125,126].…”

“…Other studies in various countries and regions [Pakistan, Zimbabwe, United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Uganda, West Africa and China] have identified insufficient breast milk supply reported as a barrier to 6 months EBF by mothers [113,114,117,[120][121][122][123][124]. Breast conditions have been reported as a barrier in other studies conducted in the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Africa, and South America [113,117,121,125,126]. Short maternity leave, shift work and a lack of workplace support were reported as barriers in the review, which is consistent with findings in other countries [113,119,127].…”

Breastfeeding practice in Kuwait: determinants of success and reasons for failure

“…For assessment of factors associated with breastfeeding cessation at 6 months of age we used multivariate Cox regression analyses. A total of 21 variables were included in the final model that was constructed using factors that had an association with breastfeeding duration based on the univariate association (the level of significance was set at P < 0.05), as well as factors reported to influence breastfeeding initiation and duration from previous studies (5,6,(8)(9)(10) and that were considered to potentially affect breastfeeding practice in our local region.…”