Why are breastfeeding rates low in Lebanon? a qualitative study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Breastfeeding is a cost-effective public health intervention that reduces infant morbidity and mortality in developing countries. In Lebanon, breastfeeding exclusivity and continuation rates are disappointingly low. This qualitative...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2011-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Pediatrics |
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| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/11/75 |
| _version_ | 1818020865868038144 |
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| author | Nabulsi Mona |
| author_facet | Nabulsi Mona |
| author_sort | Nabulsi Mona |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Breastfeeding is a cost-effective public health intervention that reduces infant morbidity and mortality in developing countries. In Lebanon, breastfeeding exclusivity and continuation rates are disappointingly low. This qualitative study aims at identifying barriers and promoters of breastfeeding in the Lebanese context by exploring mothers' perceptions and experiences in breastfeeding over a one year period.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted focus group discussions in three hospitals in Beirut, Lebanon, and followed up 36 breastfeeding mothers with serial in-depth interviews for one year post-partum or until breastfeeding discontinuation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Themes generated from baseline interviews revealed several positive and negative perceptions of breastfeeding. Longitudinal follow up identified insufficient milk, fear of weight gain or breast sagging, pain, sleep deprivation, exhaustion, or maternal employment, as reasons for early breastfeeding discontinuation. Women who continued breastfeeding for one year were more determined to succeed and overcome any barrier, relying mostly on family support and proper time management.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Increasing awareness of future mothers about breast feeding difficulties, its benefits to children, mothers, and society at large may further promote breastfeeding, and improve exclusivity and continuation rates in Lebanon. A national strategy for early intervention during school years to increase young women's awareness may improve their self-confidence and determination to succeed in breastfeeding later. Moreover, prolonging maternity leave, having day-care facilities at work, creation of lactation peer support groups and hotlines, and training of doctors and nurses in proper lactation support may positively impact breastfeeding exclusivity and continuation rates. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of proposed interventions in the Lebanese context.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T08:11:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9f9fb3c70afc4e3b93ac66fa40326e39 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2431 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T08:11:09Z |
| publishDate | 2011-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-9f9fb3c70afc4e3b93ac66fa40326e392022-12-22T02:04:33ZengBMCBMC Pediatrics1471-24312011-08-011117510.1186/1471-2431-11-75Why are breastfeeding rates low in Lebanon? a qualitative studyNabulsi Mona<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Breastfeeding is a cost-effective public health intervention that reduces infant morbidity and mortality in developing countries. In Lebanon, breastfeeding exclusivity and continuation rates are disappointingly low. This qualitative study aims at identifying barriers and promoters of breastfeeding in the Lebanese context by exploring mothers' perceptions and experiences in breastfeeding over a one year period.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted focus group discussions in three hospitals in Beirut, Lebanon, and followed up 36 breastfeeding mothers with serial in-depth interviews for one year post-partum or until breastfeeding discontinuation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Themes generated from baseline interviews revealed several positive and negative perceptions of breastfeeding. Longitudinal follow up identified insufficient milk, fear of weight gain or breast sagging, pain, sleep deprivation, exhaustion, or maternal employment, as reasons for early breastfeeding discontinuation. Women who continued breastfeeding for one year were more determined to succeed and overcome any barrier, relying mostly on family support and proper time management.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Increasing awareness of future mothers about breast feeding difficulties, its benefits to children, mothers, and society at large may further promote breastfeeding, and improve exclusivity and continuation rates in Lebanon. A national strategy for early intervention during school years to increase young women's awareness may improve their self-confidence and determination to succeed in breastfeeding later. Moreover, prolonging maternity leave, having day-care facilities at work, creation of lactation peer support groups and hotlines, and training of doctors and nurses in proper lactation support may positively impact breastfeeding exclusivity and continuation rates. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of proposed interventions in the Lebanese context.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/11/75Breast feedingQualitative researchLebanon |
| spellingShingle | Nabulsi Mona Why are breastfeeding rates low in Lebanon? a qualitative study BMC Pediatrics Breast feeding Qualitative research Lebanon |
| title | Why are breastfeeding rates low in Lebanon? a qualitative study |
| title_full | Why are breastfeeding rates low in Lebanon? a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Why are breastfeeding rates low in Lebanon? a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Why are breastfeeding rates low in Lebanon? a qualitative study |
| title_short | Why are breastfeeding rates low in Lebanon? a qualitative study |
| title_sort | why are breastfeeding rates low in lebanon a qualitative study |
| topic | Breast feeding Qualitative research Lebanon |
| url | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/11/75 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nabulsimona whyarebreastfeedingrateslowinlebanonaqualitativestudy |