Currently accepted at: JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
Date Submitted: Oct 20, 2025
Open Peer Review Period: Oct 20, 2025 - Dec 15, 2025
Date Accepted: Feb 7, 2026
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
This paper has been accepted and is currently in production.
It will appear shortly on 10.2196/86195
The final accepted version (not copyedited yet) is in this tab.
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Using logistic regression analysis to measure the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding in Al-Kharj Governorate in Saudi Arabia
ABSTRACT
Background:
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the optimal feeding practice for infant health, yet rates remain low worldwide, including in Saudi Arabia
Objective:
This study aimed to identify the modifiable factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Methods:
This study aimed to identify the modifiable factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Results:
The prevalence of EBF was 38%. Strong positive predictors were >3 antenatal visits (AOR 23.8, 95% CI 18–41), previous breastfeeding experience (AOR 16.6, 95% CI 7.0–21.1), colostrum feeding (AOR 7.8, 95% CI 3.8–16.1), husband’s support (AOR 6.4, 95% CI 2.6–15.9), rooming-in (AOR 6.2, 95% CI 2.7–14.4), and antenatal breastfeeding education (AOR 6.1, 95% CI 2.8–13.3). Key barriers included perceived insufficient milk (AOR 0.08, 95% CI 0.05–0.13), delayed initiation beyond three days (AOR 0.11, 95% CI 0.04–0.33), returning to work (AOR 0.15, 95% CI 0.08–0.28), prelacteal fluids (AOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.14–0.56), high income (AOR 0.33, 95% CI 0.10–1.09), late baby holding (AOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.13–0.94), and restrictive traditions (AOR 0.37, 95% CI 0.21–0.65).
Conclusions:
Modifiable factors such as education, family support, postnatal care, and supportive maternity policies are critical to improve EBF. Findings provide important evidence for policymakers in Saudi Arabia and similar contexts, highlighting the need for healthcare worker training, , early initiation and six months of paid maternity leave.
Citation
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