title: Exclusive breastfeeding in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life. The objective of this study was to assess the exclusive breastfeeding rate among infants and its predictors in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mothers attending for vaccinating their infants at the age of 6 months at primary healthcare centers were interviewed. Various sociodemographic variables, obstetric and infant factors, and breastfeeding practices were assessed for any influence on exclusive breastfeeding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 24.4% of infants were exclusively breastfed at the age of 6 months. Logistic regression revealed that the independent predictors of exclusive breastfeeding were (in order) being a housewife mother (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]= 4.7), infant on-demand feeding (odds ratio =3.4), not giving prelacteal feed (AOR= 3.1), rural/hegar residence (AOR= 2.2), timely breastfeeding initiation (AOR= 2.0), average-weight infants (AOR= 1.8), and spontaneous vaginal delivery (AOR =1.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mothers at risk of not breastfeeding exclusively should be the target of breastfeeding promotion during prenatal care. Working mothers should continue breastfeeding after returning to work.
authors.affiliation: Public Health, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine in Al-Hassa, King Faisal University, Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia. ahgilany@gmail.com
authors.forename: Abdel-Hady
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: El-Gilany
authors.forename: Ebrahim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shady
authors.forename: Randa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Helal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007229:Infant Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data