Awareness, attitudes and practices related to exclusive breastfeeding among mothers at the Al-Bayda Medical Center – Libya
Keywords:
Bbreastfeeding attitudes, breastfeeding barriers, breastfeeding practices, colostrum; exclusive breastfeeding (EBF).Abstract
Background: Exclusively breastfeeding (EBF) during the first six months of life is acknowledged as a key strategy to enhance child health, reduce infant mortality, and promote maternal well-being. Despite its established benefits, global adherence to EBF practices remains suboptimal, with significant disparities between regions and socioeconomic groups.Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of breastfeeding, evaluate "knowledge, attitudes, and practices" (KAP) regarding EBF, and examine the association among socio-demographic variables and EBF knowledge and practice among mothers attending antenatal care (ANC) at El-Beyda Medical Center, Libya.Methadology: A descriptive cross-sectional approach was used in this study to evaluate the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and examine the "knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP)" related to EBF among participants attending antenatal care (ANC) services at El-Beyda Medical Center, Libya. The study population included all maternal patients attending gynecology clinics data collection period from September 1, 2024, to December 15, 2024. The data were obtained through structured face-to-face interviews, using a questionnaire modified from previous studies and and tailored to the local context. The collected data were coded and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation (bivariate) was used to explore relationships among KAP variables, while the Kruskal-Wallis test assessed associations between sociodemographic factors and KAP. Additionally, a one-sample t-test was applied to compare the sample mean with theoretical benchmarks. Result and Discussion: Knowledge of breastfeeding was generally moderate, with an overall mean score of 12.2 ± 5.33. While 82% correctly identified breast milk as nutritionally sufficient, gaps were found regarding exclusive breastfeeding for six months, where 15% of mothers demonstrated incorrect knowledge. Attitudes revealed a reliance on formula feeding due to workplace challenges and societal norms, emphasizing the need for supportive environments. Practices showed that 84.2% of mothers provided colostrum, but only 51% adhered to exclusive breastfeeding, underscoring discrepancies between awareness and practice. Correlation analysis revealed KAP domains and sociodemographic traits do not significantly correlate, except for cesarean delivery, which correlated with better breastfeeding practices due to enhanced postnatal counseling. Conclusion: Targeted education, supportive workplace policies, and breastfeeding-friendly environments are crucial to overcoming these challenges. Addressing these barriers can promote optimal breastfeeding practices, enhancing maternal and child health outcomes.
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