BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS FOR EARLY AND EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING IN THE DUHOK GOVERNORATE IN IRAQI KURDISTAN

Background
Breast milk is the best food satisfying a baby’s needs. Sociodemographic factors, antenatal care practices, and professional assistance at birth may be barriers against this. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of exclusivity and to identify the barriers to breastfeeding.

Material and methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2022-2023 involving 336 mothers of infants (6-24 months) who visited primary healthcare centers. Information on socioeconomic background, pregnancy and delivery details, and awareness of breastfeeding benefits was collected using a pretested questionnaire. Data analysis was performed and a p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.

Results
The whole number of infants breastfed was 146 (43.45%), and for six months, this was 25 (7.4%). The significant factors were: living in Duhok City, not having sufficient knowledge about the breastfeeding, decision to breastfeed during pregnancy, starting breastfeeding soon after delivery, vaginal delivery, order of birth, not giving sugar after delivery, being supported by the husband, holding the baby after delivery, knowledge of benefits of breastfeeding. The most significant factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding were maternal age < 25 years, diseases during pregnancy, birth order (2nd or 3rd ), explanation of the benefits of breastfeeding by health professionals, decision to exclusively breastfeed during pregnancy, delivery in a governmental hospital, and holding the baby after birth (OR=1.09, 1.037, 1.048, 1.677, 5.869, 1.097, and 2.45, respectively).

Conclusions
This study identified multifaceted barriers to early exclusive breastfeeding in the Duhok Governorate.