Author(s)

Amina Bennis^1*, Fatima Zahra Laamiri^1,2, Anas Ansari Chebguiti³, Hassan Aguenaou^4,5, Mustapha Mrabet¹, Aicha Kharbach¹, Amina Barkat¹

¹Research Team in Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
²Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Technical Health, Rabat, Morocco.
³Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and High Risk Pregnancies, Maternity Hospital Souissi—Ibn Sina Teaching Hospital of Rabat-Salé, Rabat, Morocco.
⁴Moroccan Association of Infant Nutrition, Rabat, Morocco.
⁵Mixed Research Unit in Nutrition and Food URAC 39, (University Ibn Tufail-CNESTEN) Designated Regional Center of Nutrition Associate AFRA/IAEA, Kenitra, Morocco.

Background: The practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EB) in Morocco has witnessed a worrying decline in recent decades, contrary to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) which advocates it during the first six months as a significant public health tool. The present study aims to assess the impact of educational materials on mothers’ behaviour with regard to keeping up EB as long as six months, at least. Methods: This is a cohort study with a prospective collection of data over a period of one year, through a questionnaire-based survey of 500 women who delivered at the Souissi Maternity Hospital in Rabat. The subjects were divided into an intervention group sensitized, during the medical visit, by means of information delivered orally about breastfeeding and a booklet containing instructions on breastfeeding management and the benefits of EB, especially when extended for the first six months; and a control group attending the same operation with no awareness-rising through educational materials. To assess EB rates, the subjects had been followed for six months through telephone. Results: 372 women who delivered were followed, 194 from the intervention group and 178 from the control group. The remaining 128 women not followed were lost sight of. A higher percentage of mothers in the intervention group exclusively breastfed their babies up to the age of six months compared to the control group, 55.2% against 38.8% (p = 0.002). The main reason produced by most mothers who ceased to exclusively breastfeed their babies is milk insufficiency. Conclusion: The postnatal nutritional education strategy based on the distribution of educational materials has considerably raised the number of women who exclusively breastfed their babies until the age of six months.

Exclusive Breastfeeding, Educational Material, Duration, Postnatal Period, Breastfeeding Practices

Bennis, A. , Laamiri, F. , Chebguiti, A. , Aguenaou, H. , Mrabet, M. , Kharbach, A. and Barkat, A. (2017) Impact of Educational Materials on the Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding Assured by Women Who Delivered at the Souissi Maternity Hospital in Rabat. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 7, 1300-1318. doi: 10.4236/ojog.2017.713133.