Complementary Feeding for Children Aged 6-24 Months: Impact and Maternal Awareness in Al Baha City, Saudi Arabia

Complementary Feeding for Children Aged 6-24 Months: Impact and Maternal Awareness in Al Baha City, Saudi Arabia

Background Breastfeeding and complementary feeding are essential for baby health and nutrition. Concerning these feeding habits, there is a dearth of information on mother awareness and behaviors in Saudi Arabia. This study intends to evaluate maternal knowledge of breastfeeding and complementary fe...

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Published in:Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 1; p. e53086
Main Authors: Mohammed, Khalid Alawad A, Salih, Elfatih Mirghani M, Alamr, Fahad, Alzahrani, Mohammed Mousa M, Khallufah, Ahmed Surayyi A, Alghamdi, Khader Abdullah K, Alzahrani, Yahya Fahad Y, Alzahrani, Yasir Majhud S
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Cureus Inc 28-01-2024
Cureus
Subjects:
Age
Breastfeeding & lactation
Children & youth
Diet
Families & family life
Food
Illiteracy
Informed consent
Knowledge
Milk
Nutrition
Nutritional status
Overweight
Pediatrics
Public Health
Questionnaires
Sociodemographics
Saudi Arabia
mothers
complementary
infant
feeding
knowledge
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Summary:Background Breastfeeding and complementary feeding are essential for baby health and nutrition. Concerning these feeding habits, there is a dearth of information on mother awareness and behaviors in Saudi Arabia. This study intends to evaluate maternal knowledge of breastfeeding and complementary feeding in Al Baha City, Saudi Arabia. Methodology This cross-sectional prospective study was conducted among mothers in Al Baha City, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a structured electronic questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test. Results We received 524 responses. The majority of participants (358, 68.2%) were found to have sufficient understanding of breastfeeding and complementary feeding. Four hundred and forty participants (84%) were aware that breastfeeding should begin immediately after birth, but only 250 (47.7%) participants knew the proper time to start complementary feeding. Three hundred and ninety-six (75.6%) participants were aware of the proper duration of exclusive breastfeeding, whereas 128 (24.4%) of them did not know. The study showed that factors such as occupation, family economic status, and educational level influence maternal knowledge of complementary feeding.  Conclusions The study revealed that the majority of participants had good knowledge about breastfeeding and complementary feeding. The study highlights effective training and public awareness initiatives aimed at improving mothers' knowledge and practices regarding feeding. Additionally, it sheds light on the healthcare providers' exemplary knowledge and attitudes toward appropriate feeding practices among mothers in Al Baha City.
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ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.53086