KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES REGARDING BREASTFEEDING AMONG FEMALE SCHOOL TEACHERS AT QASSIM REGION.

Background: Breastfeeding is the ideal way of feeding infants, which has a great impact on them, their mothers, their health care costs and the whole society. It has many benefits for both the mother and the infant. The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months of age, and to continue breastfeeding for two years or longer with proper complementary nourishments. Despite its benefits, breastfeeding rates and duration vary among countries and regions and the pattern have changed the changing community of Saudi Arabia. There are limited data regarding breastfeeding among female schoolteachers in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and practice of female schoolteachers in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia and to identify factors that affect breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and practice among them. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire was conducted among female schoolteachers Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. Breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and practice of participants who had at least one child aged five years or younger at the time of the study was assessed with emphasis on their experience with the last child. Results: A total of 526 women had an age range of 22 to 49 years. About 211 (41.2%) women started breastfeeding their newborns after the first day while 124 (24.2%) start feeding within half an hour after delivery. Child health was the main motivation for breastfeeding among 441 (83.8 %) of the respondents. Exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months was reported in only 14 (3%) of the participants. The main cause of early cessation of breastfeeding was insufficient breast milk, which was reported by 344 (65.4%) of participants followed by work related reasons. Conclusion: Although teacher mothers knew well about importance of breastfeeding to the child health, exclusive breastfeeding rate is very low. The most common cause of the early cessation of breastfeeding and early introduction of artificial milk was breast milk insufficiency. This is mostly due to inappropriate breastfeeding techniques and practices. Physicians and health care workers should emphasize the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and should explain the right techniques and practices of breastfeeding during pregnancy and early after delivery.