TY - JOUR

T1 - Factors Associated With Breastfeeding Outcomes in Lebanon

T2 - A National Cross‐Sectional Study

AU - Abdallah, Bahia

AU - Sharara, Eman

AU - Nicolas, Petra

AU - Sacre, Hala

AU - El Khoury, Cosette Fakih

AU - Salameh, Pascale

AU - Haddad, Chadia

AU - Karam, Joanne

AU - Rizk, Rana

PY - 2025/8/6

Y1 - 2025/8/6

N2 - The overarching study introduces a series of papers that aim to examine the effects of these policies on breastfeeding practices; this paper presents the overall methodology and sample characteristics. It also presents percentages of breastfeeding practices and associated factors, with a particular focus on lactation support. This cross‐sectional study was conducted among a sample of 280 Lebanese adult mothers with at least one child less than 5 years old using an online survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out, where chi‐square and Fisher's exact test were used as applicable. The bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed. Sociodemographic, economic, lifestyle, and pregnancy‐related variables poorly predicted breastfeeding practices, while receiving prenatal education about breastfeeding before pregnancy (OR = 1.81 [1.03–3.15]) and during the third trimester (OR = 1.71 [1.03–2.81]) was associated with higher odds of early initiation of BF. The main sources of prenatal education were gynecologists, lactation specialists, and midwives who had significant positive influences on some BF practices. The multivariate analysis showed a positive association between normal delivery with skin‐to‐skin contact (AOR = 6.08 [3.30–11.21]) and early initiation of BF (AOR = 4.07 [2.24–7.41]), whereas support from experienced mothers, receiving prenatal education about breastfeeding from lactation specialists, and support from the workplace were negatively associated with some BF practices. These findings highlight the critical need to expand breastfeeding initiatives across Lebanon, mainly by empowering healthcare professionals with enhanced training and resources.

AB - The overarching study introduces a series of papers that aim to examine the effects of these policies on breastfeeding practices; this paper presents the overall methodology and sample characteristics. It also presents percentages of breastfeeding practices and associated factors, with a particular focus on lactation support. This cross‐sectional study was conducted among a sample of 280 Lebanese adult mothers with at least one child less than 5 years old using an online survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out, where chi‐square and Fisher's exact test were used as applicable. The bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed. Sociodemographic, economic, lifestyle, and pregnancy‐related variables poorly predicted breastfeeding practices, while receiving prenatal education about breastfeeding before pregnancy (OR = 1.81 [1.03–3.15]) and during the third trimester (OR = 1.71 [1.03–2.81]) was associated with higher odds of early initiation of BF. The main sources of prenatal education were gynecologists, lactation specialists, and midwives who had significant positive influences on some BF practices. The multivariate analysis showed a positive association between normal delivery with skin‐to‐skin contact (AOR = 6.08 [3.30–11.21]) and early initiation of BF (AOR = 4.07 [2.24–7.41]), whereas support from experienced mothers, receiving prenatal education about breastfeeding from lactation specialists, and support from the workplace were negatively associated with some BF practices. These findings highlight the critical need to expand breastfeeding initiatives across Lebanon, mainly by empowering healthcare professionals with enhanced training and resources.

KW - lactation

KW - Lebanon

KW - surveys and questionnaires

KW - breastfeeding

KW - hospitals

KW - health personnel

U2 - 10.1002/fsn3.70767

DO - 10.1002/fsn3.70767

M3 - Journal article

VL - 13

JO - Food Science & Nutrition

JF - Food Science & Nutrition

SN - 2048-7177

IS - 8

M1 - e70767

ER -