Table 1 HCWs’ observations for breastfeeding characteristics of Syrian refugees

Overall, n

876

327

549

199

352

82

231

(%)^b

(37.3)

(62.7)

(22.7)

(40.2)

(9.4)

(26.4)

Mothers, usually observed to give only breast milk to their babies in the first three days

40.0

34.6

43.9^*

51.8^x

35.5^y

52.4^x

32.5^y***

Prelacteal foods usually observed to be given

 Sugary water

45.2

50.5

42.1

32.7^x

49.7^y,z

39.0^x,y

51.9^z***

 Dairy products

8.7

10.1

7.8

9.0

8.2

9.8

9.1

 Herbal tea

3.2

3.1

3.3

2.5^x,y

2.3^x

1.2^x,y

6.1^y*

 Pure water

3.0

1.8

3.6

2.0

3.1

2.4

3.9

 Sweet food

2.5

2.8

2.4

3.5

2.0

6.1

1.3

Usually observed the initiation of breastfeeding within one hour

 Frequently

91.6

86.5

94.7^***

93.4^x

94.0^x

93.9^x

85.7^y**

Reasons for not achieving the initiation of breastfeeding within one hour

 Not feeling well physically or mentally after delivery

8.6

14.1

5.3^***

5.5

8.8

11.0

10.0

 Lack of experience or education

5.3

7.0

4.2

3.5

4.5

8.5

6.9

 The belief of there is not enough breast milk

3.3

3.7

4.0

3.5

3.1

1.2

6.5

 Illness of the mother or baby

3.0

4.0

2.4

1.5

3.1

6.1

2.6

Usually observed exclusive breastfeeding duration

 ≥6 months

49.2

35.9

57.1^***

52.0

45.7

54.9

50.0

 4–5 months

40.8

52.8

33.7^***

37.4

44.3

34.1

40.4

 First 3 months

10.0

11.3

9.2

10.6

10.0

11.0

9.6

Opinion for the reason why exclusive breastfeeding is shorter than six months

 Breast milk insufficiency or breastfeeding problems

37.2

40.4

35.3

34.2

37.2

56.1

33.3

 Factors related to maternal health

20.7

26.0

17.5^**

22.1^y

22.4^y

32.9^z

12.1^x***

 Lack of experience or education

10.3

16.8

6.4

10.6

10.2

12.2

9.5

 Frequent pregnancy plan

10.0

8.0

11.3

4.0^x

16.8^y

8.5^x,y

5.6^x***

 Mother’s job-economic problems

4.7

7.6

2.9^**

4.5^x

7.1^x

2.4^x,y

1.3^y**

 Culture-social environment

3.3

93.9

98.4^***

4.5

2.0

6.1

2.6

 Illness of children

3.2

2.1

3.8

2.0

5.1

3.7

1.3

Usually observed total breastfeeding duration

 <6 months

10.5

8.6

11.7

9.6^x,y

9.1^x,y

3.7^x

15.2^y*

 <12 months

30.5

28.1

31.9

29.1

30.4

23.2

34.2

Usually observed infants receiving formula in the first six months

 More than half

27.4

25.3

28.6

32.7

24.3

21.0

29.1

Usually observed complementary feeding starting time

 <6 months

28.0

38.2

21.9^***

30.7

30.7

26.8

22.1

 ≥9 months

7.4

4.9

8.9^*

8.5

7.4

7.3

6.9

Foods that are usually observed to be started first in complementary feeding

 Grains

59.5

61.5

58.3

51.8^x

59.1^x,y

62.2^x,y

65.8^y*

 Fruits and vegetables

47.8

49.8

46.6

48.2

49.4

51.2

44.6

 Dairy products

30.3

27.5

31.9

23.6^x

33.0^y

40.2^y

29.0^x,y*

 Soups-snacks

9.0

7.0

10.2

6.5

7.4

12.2

12.1

 Egg

4.6

3.4

5.3

5.0

4.8

4.9

3.9