Nurturing the Will: Unraveling Associative Factors of Exclusive Breastfeeding Intentions Among Primigravida in Saudi

Asmaa Mohamed Ali AlAbd1, Aziza Ibrahim Mohamed Hassan2, Salwa Ali Marzouk3

  • 1Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Department, College of Nursing, University of Hail, Hail 81481, Saudi Arabia.

PubMed

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is widely acknowledged as beneficial for a baby's health and development. However, Saudi Arabia remains one of the few countries where this practice is still uncommon. This study explores the factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding intention among primigravida women in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional design and systematic random sampling technique were utilized to collect data from a total of 436 primigravida women. Results: More than half of the participants (58.3%) expressed high intentions toward exclusive breastfeeding. The most significant modifiable predictors of exclusive breastfeeding intention among these women were age, education, nationality, and planned pregnancy. Additionally, adequate knowledge of breastfeeding (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 0.402, Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.226-0.717) and a positive attitude toward breastfeeding (AOR: 0.396, CI: 0.223-0.705) emerged as independent predictors of high breastfeeding intention. Conclusions: The study revealed that while more than half of the primigravida women demonstrated a high intention to practice exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), this level of intention is still considered inadequate for achieving optimal breastfeeding practices. Key factors influencing their breastfeeding attitudes included maternal age, education level, ethnicity, pregnancy planning, and knowledge about breastfeeding.

Related Concept Videos

Parental Care00:55

Parental Care

Many animals exhibit parental care behavior, including feeding, grooming, and protecting young offspring. Parental care is universal in mammals and birds, which often have young that are born relatively helpless. Several species of insects and fish, as well as some amphibians, also care for their young.
12.6K
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.2K
Surveys02:16

Surveys

Often, psychologists develop surveys as a means of gathering data. Surveys are lists of questions to be answered by research participants, and can be delivered as paper-and-pencil questionnaires, administered electronically, or conducted verbally. Generally, the survey itself can be completed in a short time, and the ease of administering a survey makes it easy to collect data from a large number of people.
16.6K
Factors Affecting Illness01:18

Factors Affecting Illness

When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
5.0K
International Nursing Organizations II01:28

International Nursing Organizations II

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Geneva. The WHO has many initiatives that center around health. Primarily, they lead global efforts to expand universal health coverage using science-based policies and programs. They are also responsible for shaping health research agendas and developing norms and standards.
The WHO provides expert team support, including funding, vaccines, testing, and treatment tools at the country level to fight...
1.3K
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
3.6K