Traditional Nutritional Beliefs and Practices Among Mothers in Riyadh During the Puerperal Period: a Cross-Sectional Study

Anwar M Alhashem, Fay A Alrasheed, Latifa K Alwallan, Maram F Almutairi, Yara M Bin Khathran, Yasmeen A Alenzi, Rehab A Aldahash Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Rehab A Aldahash, Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tel +966 505475835, Email [email protected]: During the postpartum period, women undergo physical, social, and emotional changes, with misconceptions regarding postpartum nutrition resulting in high neonatal mortality rates. Traditional nutritional beliefs and practices during pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care differ among cultures. We assessed nutritional beliefs and practices among mothers during the puerperal period.Patients and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to April 2022 using an online survey questionnaire regarding beliefs and practices on nutrition during the puerperal period with a sample of 381 mothers. Descriptive statistics were used to report sociodemographic characteristics and nutritional beliefs and practices. ANOVA and two-sample independent t-test were used to analyze nutritional practices by sociodemographic factors. Simple linear regression was used to predict age-based nutritional beliefs and practices. Pearson correlation was used to compare nutritional beliefs and practices.Results: Mothers did not avoid food and water after normal delivery. Many preferred Arabic coffee and peel. Age predicted the total scores of nutritional beliefs and practices, with a positive correlation between nutritional beliefs and practices. New mothers followed certain nutritional customs, such as consuming herbs postpartum. Mothers who had only completed high school or less obtained higher scores on nutritional belief evaluations, and those with ≥ 5 children displayed a greater number of nutritional beliefs. Those who delivered their first and second children naturally prioritized their dietary habits more than those who had a cesarean delivery.Conclusion: The findings suggest complex relationships among various factors and postpartum dietary choices. Keywords: postpartum, nutrition, beliefs, practices