Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40380254›Full record

SynthesisInternational breastfeeding journal2025

A systematic review and meta-analysis of breastfeeding rates, factors influencing breastfeeding and practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Maeve Anne O'Connell, Shahla Meedya, Jenan Al Baqali, Kadeeja Alraeesi, Patricia Leahy-Warren

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International breastfeeding journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Maeve Anne O'ConnellMidwifery Department, Fatima College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. maeve.oconnell@actvet.gov.ae.ORCID 0000-0003-1927-2711
Shahla MeedyaCentre for Nursing and Midwifery Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-4022-3324
Jenan Al BaqaliNursing Department, Awali Hospital, Awali, Bahrain.ORCID 0009-0004-6706-9464
Kadeeja AlraeesiMidwifery Department, Fatima College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Patricia Leahy-WarrenNursing Department, Brookfield School of Nursing & Midwifery, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. patricia.leahy@ucc.ie.ORCID 0000-0002-4443-4471

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBreastfeeding is recommended for optimal infant outcomes. Breastfeeding rates are thought to be suboptimal, but actual rates are not known in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While there have been various studies about breastfeeding, there is no systematic review or meta-analysis in the UAE which has synthesized available evidence about breastfeeding rates and practices. The primary objectives of this study were to estimate breastfeeding rates, identify factors influencing breastfeeding, and explore breastfeeding practices among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

methodsA systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant published peer-reviewed literature in six relevant electronic databases from 2013 to 1 August 2023. When statistical pooling was not possible, results were synthesized narratively.

resultsTwelve studies were included. Pooled data from five studies (n = 2009) indicated that 62% of women initiated breastfeeding within the first hour after birth (95% CI 0.45, 0.78; I

conclusionThis review highlights the importance of integrating cultural competence into healthcare strategies to better support breastfeeding mothers. Additionally, a national infant feeding survey is recommended to address the existing knowledge gaps in the UAE.

Indexed as

Breast FeedingMothersAdultFemaleHumansInfantInfant, NewbornUnited Arab EmiratesBreastfeedingBreastfeeding initiationExclusive breastfeedInfantInfant feedingPrevalenceTrends

Identifiers

PMID40380254
PMCPMC12085000

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.