Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science

ISSN: 2347-467X, Vol. 07, No. (3) 2019, Pg. 862-875

Abstract

Initiation of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at birth, followed by introduction of complementary food (CF) at six months of age, is necessary for the lifelong health of the child. In Jordan, EBF rates are not optimal. To our knowledge, there have been no studies to date on breastfeeding practices in the Aqaba region. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors affecting EBF and early introduction of CF in this region. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 448 Jordanian mothers who were recruited from three primary health care centers in Aqaba. They were interviewed and asked to complete a questionnaire concerning the following variables: sociodemographic information, reproductive health of the mother and infant and postpartum conditions and events of the 488 mothers recruited, we found that the number who breastfed exclusive