The impact of maternal socio-demographic characteristics on breastfeeding knowledge and practices: An experience from Casablanca, Morocco

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is universally recognized by the World Health Organization as the best way of feeding infants. Therefore, several countries have initiated health promotion interventions to support successful breastfeeding based on the factors influencing breastfeeding outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between the knowledge of breastfeeding and maternal socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, and to determine any impact on child nutritional status. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using both qualitative and quantitative methods was conducted with mothers of infants aged six- to twenty-four months. Data was collected by a semi-structured questionnaire and face-to-face, in-depth interviews with mothers to get an insight into their breastfeeding perceptions and experiences. Educational achievement and occupational class were used as indicators of socio-demographic status. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: A significant relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and the mother's education (P < .001) and socio-economic status (P < .001) has been highlighted. A significant link was pointed out between breastfeeding and length-for-age Z score (LAZ) (P < .001), and weight-for-age Z score (WAZ) (P = .005). Moreover, a strong association was found between maternal employment and exclusive breastfeeding (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings shed some light on challenges faced by mothers, as well as an association between socio-demographic characteristics and practices for facilitating exclusive breastfeeding to guide the mothers in breastfeeding management.