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Infant Feeding Practices of Emirati Women in the Rapidly Developing City of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Author

Listed:
  • Hazel Gardner

    (School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, WA 6009, Australia)

  • Katherine Green

    (International Horizons College, 42nd Floor, U-Bora Towers, Al Abraj Street, Business Bay, Dubai P.O. Box 191881, United Arab Emirates)

  • Andrew Gardner

    (School of Natural Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Perth, WA 6027, Australia)

Abstract

Rapid economic and cultural transition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been accompanied by new challenges to public health; most notably a rapid rise in chronic disease. Breastfeeding is known to improve health outcomes in adulthood, is associated with reduced risk of developing chronic disease, and is therefore an important public health issue for this rapidly increasing population. Factors associated with infant feeding practices were examined in a cohort of 125 Emirati women and their infants, with data collected at birth and 3, 6 and 15 months postpartum by questionnaires and interviews. Participants were recruited in the Corniche Hospital, the main maternity hospital in the city of Abu Dhabi. Factors affecting the duration of breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary foods were investigated using univariate and multivariate statistics. Recommended infant feeding practices, such as exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and timely introduction of appropriate complementary foods, were poorly adhered to. Factors implicated in early cessation of breastfeeding included: time to first breastfeed, mother’s education level, employment status and early introduction of complementary foods.

Suggested Citation

  • Hazel Gardner & Katherine Green & Andrew Gardner, 2015. "Infant Feeding Practices of Emirati Women in the Rapidly Developing City of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:9:p:10923-10940:d:55170
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ke Zhang & Li Tang & Hong Wang & Li-Qian Qiu & Colin W. Binns & Andy H. Lee, 2015. "Why Do Mothers of Young Infants Choose to Formula Feed in China? Perceptions of Mothers and Hospital Staff," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-13, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Riyadh A. Alzaheb, 2016. "Factors Associated with the Early Introduction of Complementary Feeding in Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-12, July.
    2. Hazel Gardner & Katherine Green & Andrew Gardner & Donna Geddes, 2019. "Maternal and Infant Health in Abu Dhabi: Insights from Key Informant Interviews," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-12, August.
    3. Michelle Klerks & Sergio Roman & Maria Jose Bernal & Juan Francisco Haro-Vicente & Luis Manuel Sanchez-Siles, 2021. "Complementary Feeding Practices and Parental Pressure to Eat among Spanish Infants and Toddlers: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.

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