Table 5 Breastfeeding practices of participants visiting four primary healthcare clinics in Abu Dhabi
Variable | Number | (%) | Sample size (n) |
|---|---|---|---|
Positively answered breastfeeding practice questions by participants on the basis of their experience with their last child (Total of six scored questions): | |||
 Initiation of breastfeeding immediately and within the first hour of life | 193 | (72.6) | 266 |
 Currently breastfeeding the last child and intending to continue until the age of ≥24 months | 79 | (28.7) | 275 |
 Exclusively breastfed last child for 6 months | 46 | (16.9) | 272 |
 Planning to continue exclusively breastfeeding last child until 6 months of age (for children < 6 months of age) | 8 | (2.9) | 273 |
 Child was not given ready-made liquid formula in the hospital | 176 | (58.3) | 302 |
 Attended breastfeeding classes during pregnancy | 68 | (22.2) | 306 |
Participants’ overall practice level |  |  | 338 |
 Good | 94 | (27.8) |  |
 Fair | 129 | (38.2) |  |
 Poor | 115 | (34) |  |
Breastfed last child for any duration of time | 266 | (84.4) | 315 |
Had no difficulties in breastfeeding last child | 220 | (82.1) | 268 |
Has past breastfeeding experience from previous children | 185 | (56.9) | 325 |
Has past exclusive breastfeeding experience from previous children | 124 | (39.4) | 315 |
Was advised to start formula milk for last baby by the following persons | Â | Â | 277 |
 Doctor | 133 | (48) |  |
 Nurse | 3 | (1. 1) |  |
 Pharmacist | 8 | (2.9) |  |
 Family member | 30 | (10.8) |  |
 Friends | 15 | (5.4) |  |
 Others | 1 | (0.4) |  |
 No one | 25 | (9) |  |