الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 202 |  |  |
| | | from | 202 | | |
Abstract
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding should be supported for the first 6 months for its benefits for mother and infant. Method of delivery is a barrier that may hinder breastfeeding practices contributing to decreased exclusive breastfeeding rates. Aim: To evaluate exclusive breastfeeding in relation to different delivery modalities. Subjects and Method: A descriptive design was utilized with a convenient sample from 223 lactating women (130 delivered by cesarean section, and 93 by vaginal birth). Setting: The study was carried out at Health Unit in Aga City. Data collection tool: A Structured interview questionnaire. Results: Decreased exclusive breastfeeding rates at 2, 4, and 6 months and early supplementation of babies within first 6 months especially among women who delivered cesarean deliveries compared to women who delivered vaginally (P<0.05). Age, parity, educational level, residence, work status, family income, place of delivery, neonatal intensive care unit admission (NICU), breastfeeding difficulties were significantly associated with method of delivery (P<0.001). Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding was low among women who delivered C-section compared to women who delivered vaginally. Recommendations: Increasing awareness about dangers of unnecessary caesarean sections on maternal and neonatal health. In addition, exclusive breastfeeding support should be encouraged since delivery and lactating women should learn more skills about effective breastfeeding technique.