Association of socio-demographic factors, perinatal characteristics, and hospital maternity practices with breastfeeding outcomes in the UAE.

ABSTRACT: Breastfeeding (BF) rates remain suboptimal in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), despite global and national efforts. This study examined the association of socio-demographic factors, perinatal characteristics, and hospital maternity practices with breastfeeding outcomes in the UAE. In this cross-sectional study, 1,815 participating mothers with children below the age of 2 answered structured questions related to socioeconomics, hospital practices, and BF. Multivariate analysis showed that a non-Emirati nationality and vaginal birth were significantly associated with higher initiation rates (AOR = 6.19, 95% CI 1.96-19.54 and AOR = 2.65, 95% CI 1.35-5.21, respectively), timely initiation (AOR = 0.48, 95%CI 0.35-0.66, respectively), longer BF duration (AOR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.05-2.27 and AOR = 1.45

SUBMITTER: Taha Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12427024 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature