Predictors and Barriers to Breastfeeding Practices Among Jordanian Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Breastfeeding, endorsed by religious, cultural, and scientific evidence, experiences divergent rates in Jordan due to substantial sociodemographic and cultural variations. Our aim is to explore the predictors and barriers that affect BF practices among mothers in Southern Jordan, in order to insight the healthcare providers to identify these barriers in order to increase awareness for the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 380 mothers with infant 2 weeks to 6 months old. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression. Findings revealed exclusive breastfeeding at 24%, mixed feeding at 57.63%, and artificial feeding at 18.42%. The study illuminated pronounced barriers in socio-environmental factors (1.65 ± 0.32), infant factors (1.63 ± 0.37), and maternal (1.59 ± 0.27). Predictors encompassed maternal age, education, employment, province, income, family member, delivery mode, and prior breastfeeding experience. In South Jordan, mixed feeding was the commonest way. Mothers’ work and lack of nursery at the workplace was the most noticeable factor. This study equips healthcare providers to recognize barriers hampering breastfeeding among Jordanian mothers, enabling informed strategies to enhance awareness and sustain breastfeeding initiation and continuation.