UCQ to further explore and improve upon breastfeeding practices in Qatar

Improving on breastfeeding practices and support systems for Qataris will be the subject of a research study by the University of Calgary – Qatar. The research project titled, ‘Exploring professional intervention and support for breastfeeding practices in the primary health care centers in Qatar,’ just received funding from the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF).

“I am extremely happy and honored to receive the Undergraduate Research Experience Program funding for the second time in the past three years,” says Behi Nikaiin, Primary Faculty Member. “This is a follow-up to a previous qualitative study also funded by QNRF. One of the findings of that study, repeatedly suggested by participants, was that both hospital sector and primary health care services should be actively providing support to mothers to improve the breastfeeding practices in Qatar.”

The goals of this study are to identify the breastfeeding support resources that are currently available and to explore the interventions that are most effective and culturally appropriate to promote and improve the breastfeeding practices.  “Breastfeeding support programs such as breastfeeding clinics and prenatal classes are not well developed in Qatar and public has very limited access to those resources. Lack of social and professional support has been suggested in other studies to be one of the main reasons that mothers choose not to breastfeed,” Nikaiin explains.

“I would like to thank QNRF and the State of Qatar for providing me with the opportunity to conduct another research project with the purpose of maternal/child health promotion here.  I also would like to express my appreciation to my group members including the undergraduate student researchers, Dr. Tam Donnelly, a faculty member- and Dr. Sadria Al- Kohji, a community partner, for participating in this project,” Nikaiin adds.

The students participating include: Aisha Yousif, Areej Abu Joundi, Asmaa Hassan, Eman AlNaimi, Fatima Al-Obaidan and Yassmin Hussein. The QNRF funding is $60,000 USD.

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