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Correspondence to Author: Abdul Kareem A. Jasim ¹ , Abdul Razzaq Oleiwi J ² , Masarrah Hashim Muhsin ³ , Yahya Altufaily ⁴ , Abdul Amir H. Kadhum ⁵. 

1.Abdulkareem, Pediatric Department, College of Medicine, Karbala, Iraq College of Medicine, University of Al-Ameed Karbala, Iraq:
Email:[email protected]: ORCID: 0000-0002-2388-1774
2.Abdul Razzaq: Department of Community and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Al-Ameed University, Karbala, Iraq:
Email: [email protected]: ORCID: 0000-0002-3853-9330
3.Masarrah: College of Medicine, University of Kerbala, Iraq.
Email: [email protected]: ORCID: 0009-0008-5883-6763
4.Yahya: Pediatric Department, College of Medicine, University of Al-Ameed, Karbala, Iraq
Email: [email protected].
5.Abdul Amir: College of Medicine, University of Al-Ameed, Karbala, Iraq
Email: [email protected]: ORCID: 000-0003-4074-9123

DOI: 10.52338/tajoph.2026.5726

Abstract:

Background: For healthy growth and development, all mothers can breastfeed provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large.
Objective: To identify the impact of socio- demographical factors that influenced the initiation and practice of breastfeeding amongst women attending Karbala teaching hospital for children
Methods: A cross-sectional study in which Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 516 mothers in Karbala teaching hospital of children. Who had infant age <6 months. Infant feeding intentions, feeding practices at birth and during 1st six months. The data were collected in 2015-2016. Sample size was calculated by special formula, identifying the first mother arrived and to get the rest of the required sample size, systematic sampling method was used.Statistical analysis: was done using statistical package for social science (SPSS) program version 21. Chi square test was used for analysis of qualitative variables, while analysis of variance (Anova, F) test was used for analysis of quantitative variables. A probability (P value) of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: This study included a total of 516 mothers of children aged less than 6 months were included in the study, of the 516 participants mothers included in the analysis ,from them 308(59.7%) chose breastfeeding and 79(15.9) chose bottle feeding and the rest who were 129(25%) chose mixed feeding for their infants with p. value <0.001, 72% (173 out of 240) who chose breastfeeding were advised by their mother and mother in law 43.6%, 52% of those who chose bottle feeding because they thought they had not enough milk. the social support, crowding index.
Conclusion: Appropriate practice of breast feeding is still influenced by factors such as the health care system, the social support, mother's education, and cultural attitudes, type of labour, admission to the NICU, fluids offered to the babies after birth, employment status and workplace Policies and Barriers, previous feeding methods and pre-delivery woman's intention. Maternal mothers, mothers in law and pediatricians had the lion`s share in influencing breastfeeding practices.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, labour, lactation, lifestyles, public health.

Citation:

Dr. Abdul Amir H. Kadhum, Socio-Demographical Factors That Influence Breastfeeding Practices And Initiation In Women Attending Karbala Teaching Hospital For Children. The American Journal of Public Health 2026.