An exploratory study of mothers' practices and perceptions regarding weaning in infants in Damascus: A cross-sectional

Background Weaning is a critical transition phase in a child's development, directly affecting their physical and mental health. This research aims to evaluate the level of knowledge among mothers and unmarried females regarding weaning, which will help address misconceptions and improve child health in the Damascus community. Methods and Materials: A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed at the Maternal and Child Health Center in Damascus, where data was collected using an electronic questionnaire consisting of two parts: the first included demographic information, while the second contained 36 questions related to weaning practices. The data were analyzed using SPSS software, applying various statistical techniques such as the Chi-square test to assess differences in knowledge levels. Results The findings indicate that the average knowledge score among participants was 44.2%, with a standard deviation of 21.7%. The analysis revealed that 35.4% of participants had poor knowledge, while 44.2% had moderate knowledge and 20.4% had good knowledge. The relationship between age and knowledge level showed that the group under 20 years had a significant knowledge deficit, while the group aged 20–25 years exhibited a marked improvement. Additionally, families without children had the highest percentage of poor knowledge. Educational level significantly influenced knowledge scores, with participants possessing a university education showing the highest percentages of good knowledge. Lastly, housewives demonstrated the highest knowledge scores, compared to lower scores in other categories. Conclusion The study in Damascus highlights a low level of knowledge regarding weaning among females, despite a high educational level, necessitating targeted health education programs. The results demonstrated a clear impact of demographic factors on knowledge, with a heavy reliance on unofficial information sources. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the role of health personnel and implement community awareness campaigns to correct misconceptions and improve awareness regarding weaning practices.