Effect of maternal occupation on breast feeding among females in Al-Hassa, southeastern region of KSA

ObjectivesBreast feeding is a normal behaviour in humans that provides babies with the nutrients needed for growth and development. Certain factors contribute to the inability of mothers to breastfeed. This investigation explored the effect of maternal occupation on breast feeding amongst females in Al-Hassa in the southeastern region of KSA.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted by administering a structured Arabic questionnaire to working and non-working mothers in the region. The participants were asked about their job status and whether they were breast feeding (BF), the reasons for reducing or stopping BF, and the health status of their babies. The obtained data were analysed using the chi-square test.ResultsA total of 124 mothers participated in the survey; 62 working mother (WM) and 62 non-working women (NWM). All of the NWM had breastfed their babies, while ninety-two percent of the WM breastfed, while the remaining 8% (12.9) of WM did not breastfeed. The results also showed that only 7% of WM practiced exclusive breast feeding (EBF), while 37% of the NWM were found to practice EBF.ConclusionsMaternal occupation was not observed to be a barrier to prevent mothers from breast feeding but affected the duration and frequency of breast feeding per day and the health status of babies.