Volume 27, Issue 131, January 2023

Dietary and behavioral practices in postpartum period among Saudi women in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Humaira Zareen¹, Ilham Al Mousa¹, Amira Okud¹, Maujid Masood Malik¹, Tamim Alsultan¹, Ali Alnasser¹, Mohammed Almatar¹, Abdullah Alaithan¹, Mahmoud Alali¹

¹College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Background: Mostly, woman needs care during some periods of her life including the purpureum. It is a period that starts after delivery of placenta and last for the following 6 weeks. Her health can be improved for the rest of her life with proper care and nutrition during this period. Aim: This study aims to explore different dietary and behavioral customs among women in eastern region in KSA and how it will affect their health. Methods: A crosssectional study was carried out in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Women who experienced surgical or medical difficulties throughout their period were excluded. Using a pre-constructed validated questionnaire to interviewed eligible women. Data collected included demographical data, dietary and behavioral practices and the source of the knowledge and practices and the social support. Results: The study questionnaire was completed by 459 females in total. Females' median ages were 26.7, 13.9 years, with ages ranging from 18 to more than 35 years. Their family's elderly female members (47.1%) were the most often cited information source, followed by health education initiatives (22.2%). 95.9% of the female participants-a total of 440-said they had assistance from their friends and family after giving birth. In 405 (92%), both the husband and the mother supplied support, followed by the husband by himself (38%; 167) and the housemaid (21.4%; 94). Conclusion: In conclusion, the findings in the study showed that most study females had received mistaken advice against adopting several healthy behaviors and eating routines during the postpartum period.

Keywords: Post-partum period, behaviors', dietary habits, practice, woman, Saudi Arabia

Medical Science, 2023, 27, e42ms2616

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi/v27i131/e42ms2616

Published: 12 January 2023