ABSTRACT

Background & Aims: Breastfeeding rates differ in diverse countries. A limited information is known about breastfeeding and hurdles in mother practice in Sudan. This study aimed to assess mothers' knowledge and practices during infant and child feeding in the Salha area. Methods: This is an observational case detection community-based study. Out of 126 the total numbers of the study population 126 mothers were selected randomly. Data was collected using a questionnaire. The study was conducted during the period from April to December 2019. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SSPS) version 22.0. Results: The majority of mothers 67.5% were between 21-30 years, and only 9.5% aged 15-20 years. The highest percentages of mothers 42.9% had a university level of education and only0.8%khalwa. The majority of mothers 90.5% were housewives and only 4.5% were laborers. Most of mothers59.5% had awareness about the remunerations of breastfeeding, 42.9% of mothers have better understanding of exclusive breastfeeding, of them 40.1% practice it with the current infant, and 59.3%did not. The highest percentage of mothers 54% breastfeed the newborn when she felt the child was hungry, 25.4%by a certain schedule and 20.6% when the child cries. The majority44.4% breastfed the child at unlimited frequency per day, 38.1% between 5-10times per day and (17.5) between 2-4 times per day. Conclusions: The study recommends that mothers should be stimulated to practice exclusive breastfeeding and they need to be aware about its importance and its significant role in protection against infection.

Keywords: Breast feeding, Sudan, Mothers knowledge