title: Breastfeeding in Cambodia: mother knowledge, attitudes and practices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a knowledge, attitudes and practices study of breastfeeding in the province of Krong Kep, Cambodia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mothers' breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes and practices were evaluated using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered in Khmer to women with at least one child less than 60 months of age. Women meeting the eligibility requirements (N = 141) answered questions regarding their infant feeding practices, including initiation and duration of breastfeeding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Cambodia, the decision to breastfeed is rooted in a history of poverty. Twenty-five percent of women sampled initiated breastfeeding within the first hour post-delivery. In total, 82% of women initiated breastfeeding within the first 24 hours post-delivery, and 53% of women breastfed exclusively for exactly the recommended 6 months' duration. Nine women who reported exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months did not initiate breastfeeding within the first 24 hours post-delivery, likely because of the cultural practice of "roasting." Professional breastfeeding support programs do not exist in Krong Kep, Cambodia.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Researcher, Toronto, Ontario, USA. hilary.wren@mail.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wren
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002160:Cambodia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult