Table 2 HCWs’ observations for breastfeeding problems in Syrian refugees

Overall, n

876

327

549

199

352

82

231

(%)^b

(37.3)

(62.7)

(22.7)

(40.2)

(9.4)

(26.4)

Are breastfeeding difficulties common according to HCWs observations?

 Yes

26.5

31.6

23.4^**

24.4

24.1

28.0

29.0

Rate of overcoming breastfeeding difficulties according to HCWs observations

 More than half

70.7

70.6

70.7

71.8^x

73.9^x

55.6^y

71.9^x*

Most common observed difficulties associated with breastfeeding according to HCWs observations

 Lack of experience or education

10.7

12.2

9.8

9.0

9.4

13.4

13.0

 Maternal-related factors

9.5

9.8

9.3

10.6

8.2

12.2

9.1

 Lactation-related problems

5.8

7.6

4.7

6.0

4.3

6.1

7.8

 Economic problems

5.4

7.6

4.0

5.5

6.8

3.7

3.0

 Culture-related problems

3.2

4.3

2.6

3.0

2.8

6.1

2.6

 Factors related to family planning

3.0

4.0

2.4

1.5^x

3.7^x,y

7.3^y

1.7^x*

From whom do lactating mothers usually get support in baby feeding according to HCWs observations?

 Mothers of her or her husband

69.1

69.9

68.9

68.3

71.3

74.4

64.9

 Health care professionals

32.3

30.9

33.2

30.7

34.4

32.9

32.0

 Other people

17.0

78.3

85.8

21.1

15.3

23.2

13.9

 Husbands

9.7

89.0

91.1

13.1

8.0

13.4

8.7

When getting pregnant again while breastfeeding

 Usually breastfeeding is stopped

68.6

60.0

73.8^***

69.5

70.4

57.3

70.5

How long does breastfeeding usually continue while pregnant according to HCWs observations?

 Discontinued immediately or in the first trimester

71.9

69.1

73.6

69.8

74.4

64.6

73.2

 Discontinued in the 2nd trimester

11.4

11.3

11.5

9.0

11.6

18.3

11.3

 Discontinued in the 3rd trimester

2.3

2.4

2.2

2.0

2.6

1.2

2.2

 Depending on the age of the breastfed child

6.7

8.3

5.8

7.5

5.7

8.5

6.1

 Other

6.7

1.5

0.9

2.0

0.9

2.4

0.4

 Missing

6.5

7.3

6.0

9.5

4.8

4.9

6.9

Is tandem breastfeeding common according to HCWs observations?

 Yes

29.6

32.0

28.2

29.7

28.7

24.7

33.0

Healthcare challenges of Syrian pregnant and lactating mothers posed by HCWs

 Food-finance-housing-related problems

34.9

36.4

34.1

28.1^x

42.9^y

32.5^x,y

29.0^x**

 Low maternal education

27.3

29.7

25.9

25.1^x,y

31.0^y

31.7^y

21.2^x*

 Cultural and environmental issues

19.6

19.6

19.7

14.6^x

20.5^x,y

29.3^y

19.0^x,y*

 Maternal health-related problems

18.6

18.0

18.9

16.1

20.5

14.6

18.6

 Problems with family planning

15.4

16.2

14.9

10.1^x

15.1^x

30.5^y

15.6^x***

 Incorrect nutrition practices

8.9

9.5

8.5

8.0

9.1

8.9

9.6

 Breastfeeding-related problems

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.0

6.0

1.2

6.9

 Lack of health care

4.8

4.9

4.7

3.5

6.8

6.1

2.6

Recommendations of HCWs to solve the difficulties experienced by Syrian mothers

 Supporting breastfeeding

57.2

58.4

56.5

50.8

59.4

57.3

59.7

 Nutrition, health support to the mother

35.7

67.6

62.3

28.1

39.5

34.1

36.8

 Family planning

12.7

13.8

12.0

11.1^x,y

14.8^y,z

23.2^z

7.8^x**

 Regulating the health system-legislation

8.6

11.6

6.7^*

8.0

6.5

11.0

10.8