Sidra Study Finds Reasons for Low Rate of Breastfeeding in Qatar

Doha, August 04 (QNA) - There is a gap between understanding the significance and benefits of breastfeeding and actual practice among women in Qatar, a new medical study reveals. This inference is based on the qualitative study of newborn breastfeeding practices and the sources of information about these practices among Qatari women. The Community Relations and Development Department at Sidra Medical and Research Center conducted the study. Its results are timely since the world is observing World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7. The study identifies the lack of information and professional support after leaving the hospital post-delivery as the main reasons for low rates of exclusive breastfeeding among Qatari women. Many new and young mothers in the focus groups indicated that they are greatly influenced by the traditional practices which require feeding the newborn sugar water or anise water. The study finds young mothers are led to believe, through traditional practices, that drinking water themselves negatively affects the postpartum body after childbirth. Therefore, many new mothers do not consume healthy food that would allow for proper breastfeeding. Many mothers discontinue breastfeeding after 40 days, or after three months which reflects the lack of information and access to professional lactation support. The objective of this year's World Breastfeeding Week is to draw attention to the importance of peer support in helping mothers to initiate and sustain breastfeeding. Peer counselling is a highly effective and beneficial tool to support breastfeeding mothers and babies. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommendations for infant feeding is initiation of breastfeeding within one hour after birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding - a baby receives no other food or water - for the first six months of life, followed by the introduction of complementary foods at the age of six months with continued breastfeeding for two years or longer. The benefits of breastfeeding for mothers, babies and societies are well researched and supported by a large, international body of evidence. According to studies endorsed by organizations including the WHO/UNICEF, The American Academy of Pediatrics and The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, the benefits for babies include a decrease in respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal illness, and ear infections. Breastfeeding offers protection against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in the newborn period and protection against type 1 and 2 diabetes, obesity, elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and certain types of cancer later in life. Mothers benefit from breastfeeding as well. Women who breastfeed have lower rates of breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes and postpartum depression. Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Qatar, which is 12% according to UNICEF figures from a 2005 study, is lower than the global rate (37%) and significantly lower than the target rate set by the World Health Organization which is 50%. Qatar's National Health Strategy (NHS) aims to address this issue and increase the percentage of infants exclusively breastfed for the first six months through an enhanced prenatal care system focusing on appropriate prenatal care and guidance. As a specialty women's and children's hospital, Sidra will be a key partner in assisting Qatar in reaching the goals identified in the NHS. Sidra is delivering a series of events this Fall designed to educate, inform, and engage medical professionals and Sidra employees. To engage the medical community, Sidra will be hosting the next symposium in the Sidra Symposia Series on September 11th focused on breastfeeding as a national initiative with the participation of local and international speakers. Sidra employees will have the opportunity to learn more about and show their support for breastfeeding at a lunchtime internal BilAfia event in August. Finally, as co-host of the Excellence in Paediatrics (EiP) 2013 conference, being held at the QNCC 4-7 December, 2013, Sidra invites all senior healthcare professionals and policymakers with an interest in breastfeeding and its effects for individuals, communities and countries to join the conference. The event will have multiple sessions on breastfeeding for medical professionals at all levels. The Global Breastfeeding Summit and the first meeting of the Global Breastfeeding Network members will also take place at EiP 2013. The vision of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who serves as Chairperson, Sidra Medical and Research Center, currently under construction in Doha, Qatar, will be a groundbreaking hospital, research and education institution, focusing on the health and wellbeing of women and children regionally and globally. Sidra, funded by a US$7.9 billion endowment from Qatar Foundation, will be a fully digital facility, incorporating the most advanced information technology applications in clinical, research and business functions. Sidra will initially have 400 beds with infrastructure to enable expansion to 550 beds in a subsequent phase. (ENDS)