Rates, Facilitators, and Barriers to Exclusive Breastfeeding among Syrian Refugee Mothers: A Cross-sectional Survey

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding becomes more crucial for infants’ survival during humanitarian crises. The purpose of this study was to assess breastfeeding rates and identify the facilitators of and barriers to exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among Syrian refugee mothers residing in host communities in Jordan. Methods: : A descriptive cross-sectional survey using a proportional quota sampling technique was employed. The sample consisted of 523 Syrian refugee mothers with an infant less than or equal to six months old. A developed questionnaire was used to collect door-to-door data over a period of six months. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Results: : This study demonstrated low rates of (EBF) (35.8 %), low early initiation rate (37%), and high pre-lacteal feeding rate (64.3%) among Syrian refugee mothers. The facilitators of adherence to (EBF) included mothers’ satisfaction with breastfeeding, past breastfeeding experience, and giving birth to a female infant. The main barriers to breastfeeding included perceptions of insufficient milk supply, perceptions of the infant staying hungry after breastfeeding, and mothers’ and infants’ health problems. Conclusions: : The findings revealed factors that are modifiable with appropriate counseling efforts. Considering the facilitators and barriers of EBF, nurses and midwives must encourage refugee mothers to initiate and continue EBF to promote both mothers’ and infants’ well-being.