Exclusive Breastfeeding, Knowledge, and Attitudes Toward Breastfeeding of Mothers at a Tertiary Hospital in Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12982/BSCM.2026.43Keywords:
attitude, breastfeeding, contraception, knowledge, parityAbstract
Objective Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits for both mother and child. While many mothers attending follow-up visits at the Pediatrics outpatient center of a tertiary hospital in Thailand are still breastfeeding, the precise rate of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) up to six months remains unclear. This study aims to assess the rate of 6-month EBF, maternal knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding, and risk factors for failure of EBF.
Methods This cross-sectional study included Thai mothers with babies over six months old who had consulted with our breastfeeding center between September 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022. Participating mothers completed a questionnaire covering personal and obstetric information, past and current breastfeeding patterns, breastfeeding problems, breastfeeding knowledge (good score ≥ 12 out of 15), and attitudes (good score ≥ 40 out of 50). EBF rates and factors related to failure of non-exclusive breastfeeding were studied.
Results The mean age of the 683 mothers in the study was 35.7 ± 3.5 years, with 62.8% being primiparous. Most babies were delivered full-term (98.2%). EBF was achieved in 87.7% of cases. The mean scores of knowledge and attitudes related to breast milk and breastfeeding were 14.5 ± 1.1 and 47.3 ± 2.5, respectively. The majority were assessed as having good knowledge (97.4%) and positive attitudes toward breastfeeding (98.8%). Significant risk factors for failure of EBF included age ≥ 40 years, separated/divorced status, multiparity, working more than 8 hours/day, contraception use, breastfeeding problems, failure of EBF with a previous child as well as low EBF knowledge and poor EBF attitude scores. Multiparity, contraception use, and breastfeeding problems were significantly associated with EBF in multivariable analysis.
Conclusions This study showed a high rate of 6-month EBF. Most participating mothers had good knowledge and positive attitudes toward breastfeeding. Multiparity, contraceptive use, and breastfeeding problems were independent risk factors for failure to achieve EBF.
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