From knowledge to practice: The impact of leaflet-supported education on exclusive breastfeeding in Iraqi mothers.
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Mustafa University, Baghdad, Iraq.
- 2Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Almanara College for Medical Science, Misan, Iraq.
- 3College of Dentistry, Al-Zahrawi University, Karbala, Iraq.
- 4College of Pharmacy, Al-Zahraa University for Women, Karbala, Iraq.
- 5Dr. Hany Akeel Institute, Iraqi Medical Research Center, Baghdad, Iraq.
Abstract
Background
Exclusive breastfeeding is a cornerstone of neonatal survival, yet rates in Iraq remain below international targets. Low-cost educational interventions may provide a feasible way to improve maternal knowledge and practice. To evaluate the effect of leaflet-based education on mothers, attitudes, and exclusive breastfeeding practices among pregnant women in Iraq. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of leaflet-based education on maternal knowledge, attitudes, and exclusive breastfeeding practices among pregnant women in Iraq.Materials and methods
A simple randomized study was conducted at Al-Karama Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, involving 90 third-trimester pregnant women. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 45) receiving education with both a leaflet and the MCH book, or a control group (n = 45) receiving education with the MCH book alone. Knowledge and attitude scores were assessed pre- and post-intervention.Results
The knowledge scores improved significantly in both groups, with a greater percentage increase in the intervention group (+34.5%) compared to the negative group (+26.9%). Attitude scores also increased significantly in both groups, with a trend toward stronger improvement in the intervention arm (+17.5% vs. +13.5%). Exclusive breastfeeding rates at one month postpartum were markedly higher in the intervention group (57.8%) compared with the control group (20.0%). Logistic regression identified group assignment as the strongest independent predictor (OR = 4.6, 95% CI: 1.8-11.5, P = 0.002), while maternal education also showed a significant effect (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.0-4.7, P = 0.048).Conclusion
Leaflet-based education, when combined with the MCH book, significantly improved exclusive breastfeeding practices and showed positive, though not statistically significant, trends in enhancing maternal knowledge and attitudes.
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BibTeX
@article{nori2026from,
title = {{From knowledge to practice: The impact of leaflet-supported education on exclusive breastfeeding in Iraqi mothers.}},
author = {Ali Yousif Nori and Amjad Ibrahim Oraibi and Reman M AlGabh and Israa A Almastafa and Alhasan Ali and Zahraa Salam and Hany Akeel Al-Hussaniy},
journal = {Journal of education and health promotion},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.4103/jehp.jehp_1657_25},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924341},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - From knowledge to practice: The impact of leaflet-supported education on exclusive breastfeeding in Iraqi mothers.
AU - Ali Yousif Nori
AU - Amjad Ibrahim Oraibi
AU - Reman M AlGabh
AU - Israa A Almastafa
AU - Alhasan Ali
AU - Zahraa Salam
AU - Hany Akeel Al-Hussaniy
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/30
JO - Journal of education and health promotion
DO - 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1657_25
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924341
AB - Background Exclusive breastfeeding is a cornerstone of neonatal survival, yet rates in Iraq remain below international targets. Low-cost educational interventions may provide a feasible way to improve maternal knowledge and practice. To evaluate the effect of leaflet-based education on mothers, attitudes, and exclusive breastfeeding practices among pregnant women in Iraq. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of leaflet-based education on maternal knowledge, attitudes, and exclusive breastfeeding practices among pregnant women in Iraq.Materials and methods A simple randomized study was conducted at Al-Karama Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, involving 90 third-trimester pregnant women. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 45) receiving education with both a leaflet and the MCH book, or a control group (n = 45) receiving education with the MCH book alone. Knowledge and attitude scores were assessed pre- and post-intervention.Results The knowledge scores improved significantly in both groups, with a greater percentage increase in the intervention group (+34.5%) compared to the negative group (+26.9%). Attitude scores also increased significantly in both groups, with a trend toward stronger improvement in the intervention arm (+17.5% vs. +13.5%). Exclusive breastfeeding rates at one month postpartum were markedly higher in the intervention group (57.8%) compared with the control group (20.0%). Logistic regression identified group assignment as the strongest independent predictor (OR = 4.6, 95% CI: 1.8-11.5, P = 0.002), while maternal education also showed a significant effect (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.0-4.7, P = 0.048).Conclusion Leaflet-based education, when combined with the MCH book, significantly improved exclusive breastfeeding practices and showed positive, though not statistically significant, trends in enhancing maternal knowledge and attitudes.
SN - 2277-9531
SN - 2319-6440
ER -