Background: Breastfeeding contributes to the health and well-being of mothers, it helps to space children, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer, increases family and national resources, is a secure way of feeding and is safe for the environment. In Saudi Arabia, the current practice of feeding of Saudi infants is very far from compliance with even the most conservative WHO recommendations of exclusive breastfeeding for 4 to 6 months. In Saudi Arabia, few studies have assessed non-pregnant young adults perceptions of infant feeding.
Aims & Objective: The study was conducted to To measure the knowledge and attitude of breastfeeding among attendees attending for premarital investigations as well as to assess the factors that might influence their knowledge & attitude.
Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study of a systematic random sample of attendees attending for premarital investigations in the premarital investigation clinic in Al-Noor specialist hospital during the period 1st to 31st of August, 2012.
Results: A total of 217 future parents participated in the study. Overall, their age ranged between 15 and 69 with a mean of 25.21 ± 7.50 years. There were 87 males (40.1%) compared to 130 females (59.9%). All participants were Saudi. Breastfeeding knowledge scores ranged from 42.9% to 100%, with a mean score of 82% (SD=12.9), indicating overall good knowledge levels. Mean attitude score percent was 79.38 ± 12.80 with a range from 43.75% to 100%, indicating overall positive attitudes. All participants claimed that they have information regarding breastfeeding. Relatives were the most reported source of breastfeeding information in both males and females.
Conclusion: A major implication that can be drawn from the current study is that overall, future parents in Saudi Arabia have sufficient breastfeeding knowledge in most aspects. However, they have insufficient knowledge in few aspects that need special emphasis in health education campaigns.
Key words: Breastfeeding; Premarital Investigation; Knowledge; Attitude; Saudi Arabia
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