Breastfeeding practices and exclusive breastfeeding among syrian refugee mothers in Jordanian Host Communities

Breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity are essential in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity rates. Employing the Health Belief Model as a framework, this cross-sectional survey aimed to identify influencing factors and barriers to exclusive breastfeeding among 523 eligible Syria...

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Main Authors: Suhaila Halasa, Reema Safadi, Dua' Al-Maharma, Manar Nabolsi, Jennifer Dohrn, Muayyad Ahmad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Migration and Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666623525000236
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author Suhaila Halasa
Reema Safadi
Dua' Al-Maharma
Manar Nabolsi
Jennifer Dohrn
Muayyad Ahmad
author_facet Suhaila Halasa
Reema Safadi
Dua' Al-Maharma
Manar Nabolsi
Jennifer Dohrn
Muayyad Ahmad
author_sort Suhaila Halasa
collection DOAJ
description Breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity are essential in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity rates. Employing the Health Belief Model as a framework, this cross-sectional survey aimed to identify influencing factors and barriers to exclusive breastfeeding among 523 eligible Syrian refugee mothers living in Jordan. Of these, 35.8 % practiced exclusive breastfeeding and 36.9 % initiated breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. The logistic regression model showed that prior breastfeeding experience (OR = 5.06, p < 0.001, 95 % CI: 2.17–11.82), maternal satisfaction with feeding method (OR = 3.58, p < 0.001, 95 % CI: 1.89–6.76), medical insurance (OR = 1.74, p = 0.015, 95 % CI: 1.11–2.73), birth method (OR = 1.69, p = 0.034, 95 % CI: 1.04–2.73) and infant gender (OR= 0.64, p = 0.05, 95 % CI: 0.41–0.99) significantly influenced exclusive breastfeeding rates.The findings revealed that breastfeeding practices do not align with WHO recommendations, emphasizing the crucial role of healthcare providers in supporting breastfeeding mothers during crises. It is essential to consider the unique circumstances and cultural backgrounds of refugees when evaluating their needs for developing breastfeeding programs. International health organizations, like the UNHCR, and host country policymakers should prioritize access to antenatal and postnatal counseling services and health insurance for mothers and children during crises.
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spelling doaj-art-c3d75d6831de41cc96eca356f25c00782025-08-20T02:09:05ZengElsevierJournal of Migration and Health2666-62352025-01-011110032410.1016/j.jmh.2025.100324Breastfeeding practices and exclusive breastfeeding among syrian refugee mothers in Jordanian Host CommunitiesSuhaila Halasa0Reema Safadi1Dua' Al-Maharma2Manar Nabolsi3Jennifer Dohrn4Muayyad Ahmad5The University of Jordan, Queen Rania Street, Amman, 11942, Jordan; School of Nursing – Maternal and Child Health Nursing Department, Jordan; RAK Medical &amp; Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, UAEThe University of Jordan, Queen Rania Street, Amman, 11942, Jordan; School of Nursing – Maternal and Child Health Nursing Department, Jordan; Corresponding author.The University of Jordan, Queen Rania Street, Amman, 11942, Jordan; School of Nursing – Maternal and Child Health Nursing Department, JordanThe University of Jordan, Queen Rania Street, Amman, 11942, Jordan; School of Nursing – Clinical Health Nursing Department, JordanColumbia University, NY, NY, USA; School of Nursing, USAThe University of Jordan, Queen Rania Street, Amman, 11942, Jordan; School of Nursing – Clinical Health Nursing Department, JordanBreastfeeding initiation and exclusivity are essential in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity rates. Employing the Health Belief Model as a framework, this cross-sectional survey aimed to identify influencing factors and barriers to exclusive breastfeeding among 523 eligible Syrian refugee mothers living in Jordan. Of these, 35.8 % practiced exclusive breastfeeding and 36.9 % initiated breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. The logistic regression model showed that prior breastfeeding experience (OR = 5.06, p < 0.001, 95 % CI: 2.17–11.82), maternal satisfaction with feeding method (OR = 3.58, p < 0.001, 95 % CI: 1.89–6.76), medical insurance (OR = 1.74, p = 0.015, 95 % CI: 1.11–2.73), birth method (OR = 1.69, p = 0.034, 95 % CI: 1.04–2.73) and infant gender (OR= 0.64, p = 0.05, 95 % CI: 0.41–0.99) significantly influenced exclusive breastfeeding rates.The findings revealed that breastfeeding practices do not align with WHO recommendations, emphasizing the crucial role of healthcare providers in supporting breastfeeding mothers during crises. It is essential to consider the unique circumstances and cultural backgrounds of refugees when evaluating their needs for developing breastfeeding programs. International health organizations, like the UNHCR, and host country policymakers should prioritize access to antenatal and postnatal counseling services and health insurance for mothers and children during crises.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666623525000236Ante- and postnatal careBarriers to breastfeedingExclusive breastfeedingHealth belief modelInitiation of breastfeedingPrelacteal feed
spellingShingle Suhaila Halasa
Reema Safadi
Dua' Al-Maharma
Manar Nabolsi
Jennifer Dohrn
Muayyad Ahmad
Breastfeeding practices and exclusive breastfeeding among syrian refugee mothers in Jordanian Host Communities
Journal of Migration and Health
Ante- and postnatal care
Barriers to breastfeeding
Exclusive breastfeeding
Health belief model
Initiation of breastfeeding
Prelacteal feed
title Breastfeeding practices and exclusive breastfeeding among syrian refugee mothers in Jordanian Host Communities
title_full Breastfeeding practices and exclusive breastfeeding among syrian refugee mothers in Jordanian Host Communities
title_fullStr Breastfeeding practices and exclusive breastfeeding among syrian refugee mothers in Jordanian Host Communities
title_full_unstemmed Breastfeeding practices and exclusive breastfeeding among syrian refugee mothers in Jordanian Host Communities
title_short Breastfeeding practices and exclusive breastfeeding among syrian refugee mothers in Jordanian Host Communities
title_sort breastfeeding practices and exclusive breastfeeding among syrian refugee mothers in jordanian host communities
topic Ante- and postnatal care
Barriers to breastfeeding
Exclusive breastfeeding
Health belief model
Initiation of breastfeeding
Prelacteal feed
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666623525000236
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