Mothers’ knowledge and attitude regarding the benefits of breastfeeding and proper breastfeeding practices at Maiwand Teaching Hospital, Kabul, Afghanistan - A cross-sectional study

Q: What is the study design and where was it conducted?

The study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among mothers at Maiwand Teaching Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Q: How were data analyzed and what significance level was used?

Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics were used, and Chi-square tests assessed associations, with P < .05 considered significant.

Q: What were the study findings on mothers’ attitudes toward breastfeeding?

All 361 mothers (100%) showed a positive attitude toward breastfeeding. Most also believed breastfed infants are healthier, indicating strong favorable beliefs despite gaps in some practices.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by dhado

Breastfeeding is a life-saving practice that provides vital health benefits for mothers and infants, yet Afghanistan’s rates remain below optimal levels, contributing to malnutrition and child mortality. This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluates mothers’ knowledge and attitudes about breastfeeding benefits and proper practices at Maiwand Teaching Hospital. Among 361 mothers surveyed from April to May 2025 via convenience sampling, SPSS 27 was used for descriptive statistics and Chi-square testing (P < .05).

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Exclusive breastfeeding recommendations

Study rationale and potential impact

Abstract

Study design and sampling

Data analysis and significance testing

Key findings on knowledge and attitudes

Implications for education and awareness

® Observational Study Mothers’ knowledge and attitude regarding the benefits of breastfeeding and proper breastfeeding practices at Maiwand Teaching Hospital, Kabul, Afghanistan A cross-sectional study Hikmatullah Fayez, BSPHa , Bashir Ahmad Qudrati, BSPHa ,* , Naweedullah Noori, BSPHa , Rohullah Sakhi, MPHb | Abstract
Breastfeeding is a life-saving practice that offers vital health benefits for both mothers and infants. Despite its importance, breastfeeding rates in Afghanistan remain below optimal levels, contributing to high rates of malnutrition and child mortality. This study aims to assess mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding the benefits of breastfeeding and proper breastfeeding practices. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted among 361 mothers between April and May 2025 using a non-probability convenience sampling method. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics were employed, and Chi-square tests were conducted to examine the associations between mothers’ knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding and their demographic characteristics, with P < .05 considered significant. Of the 361 distributed questionnaires, all were completed (response rate 100%) . The majority of participants, 160 (44 .3%), were aged 26 to 35 years. Most mothers, 285 (78 .9%), were illiterate. Doctors were the primary source of information for 157 (43 .5%) . The majority of mothers, 316 (87 .5%), demonstrated good knowledge regarding the benefits of breastfeeding, and 266 (73 .7%) were aware of its role as a natural vaccine. All mothers 361 (100%) had a positive attitude toward breastfeeding. Regarding proper breastfeeding practices, 246 (68 . 1%) demonstrated good knowledge. Most mothers (359, 99.4%) had a positive attitude, and 350 (97%) believed breastfed infants are healthier. Most mothers demonstrated good knowledge and positive attitudes toward breastfeeding, recognizing its benefits for growth, intelligence, and disease prevention. However, issues such as the use of feeding bottles and early introduction of complementary foods indicate gaps in practice. Educational and awareness programs should be conducted to increase breastfeeding rates among mothers and prevent child malnutrition and mortality. | | --- | | Abbreviations: EBF = exclusive breastfeeding, WHO = World Health Organization. | | Keywords: Afghanistan, attitude, breastfeeding, knowledge, mothers | 1. Introduction Breastfeeding is a fundamental practice that plays a vital role in improving the health and well-being of both mothers and their infants.[1] According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and other prominent health organizations, infants should be exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months of life. This practice, known as exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), involves feeding infants only breast milk, excluding all other foods and beverages except for prescribed minerals, vitamins, or medications during this critical period. [2] Moreover, the WHO emphasizes the importance of initiating breastfeeding within the first hour following birth. It recommends maintaining EBF for the initial 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside the introduction of nutritionally appropriate complementary foods for up to 2 years or even longer.[3] These recommendations are particularly important in resource-limited settings, where optimal EBF practices can substantially reduce infant morbidity and mortality.[4] Evidence suggests that adherence to recommended EBF practices could reduce child mortality under 5 years of age by 13% to 15%, preventing approximately 1.4 million deaths annually.[5] Breastfed infants have a substantially higher chance of surviving the first 6 months of life compared with non-breastfed The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose. The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available, but are available

FAQs

What is the study design and where was it conducted?

The study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among mothers at Maiwand Teaching Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan.

How were data analyzed and what significance level was used?

Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics were used, and Chi-square tests assessed associations, with P < .05 considered significant.

What were the study findings on mothers’ attitudes toward breastfeeding?

All 361 mothers (100%) showed a positive attitude toward breastfeeding. Most also believed breastfed infants are healthier, indicating strong favorable beliefs despite gaps in some practices.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by dhado