Background: Breastfeeding in Syria is a common practice supported by social norms, family traditions, and cultural values. In Hungary, recent statistics show that exclusive breastfeeding is significantly lower than the recommendation of the World Health Organization. Understanding the perspectives of educated young ladies is crucial for discovering the difficulties of breastfeeding practices within Syrian–Hungarian societies. This study explores the sociocultural factors and their impact on breastfeeding behaviours among female students in Syria and Hungary. Methods: A comprehensive, multi-section questionnaire was administered to 317 students from Damascus University and 303 students from Hungarian universities, designed to assess breastfeeding behaviours evaluated through The Breastfeeding Behaviour Questionnaire (BBQ). Results: The results in both societies showed remarkable awareness and understanding among participants regarding breastfeeding. Traditions and culture affect Syrian society more than Hungarian society; the two societies have restricted responses toward breastfeeding in public and different reactions to breastfeeding in front of males or females. Most students disagree with preferring formula feeding to breastfeeding when it is related to the family or the husband’s desire only. At the same time, agreement with choosing the bottle when the mother returns to work instead of exclusively breastfeeding is valued differently in the two societies. Conclusions: This study elucidates the essential the sociocultural factors influencing breastfeeding attitudes among Syrian and Hungarian female students, highlighting the need for culturally suitable strategies to improve breastfeeding practices in both countries.

Background: Prematurity and low birth weight (LBW) drive infant morbidity and mortality, requiring nutritional interventions, especially in food-insecure settings. In Indonesia, regional disparities in food security hinder adequate nutrition for premature and LBW infants, exacerbating health challenges. The aim of study is to investigate and determine factors associated with prematurity and LBW in children from food-insecure and food-secure households. Methods: This research employed a cross-sectional study with 657 mothers of children aged 36–59 months, conducted using random sampling. Data was collected via standardized questionnaires and analyzed using Chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results: The adjusted model showed that children of food-insecure households had a higher risk of LBW (AOR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.29–0.99; p < 0.05). LBWs were found to significantly less occur in food-insecure households. Low maternal education was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (AOR = 3.23; 95% CI:1.78–5.84; p < 0.001). Furthermore, prematurity correlated with house ownership (p < 0.01), indicating the household’s wealth condition. Maternal education and house ownership were linked to prematurity, indicating the risk to child health outcomes. In summary, maternal education, employment status, and household income were linked to food insecurity, indicating the risk to child health outcomes. Conclusion: Strategies to improve child health outcomes are essential, including enhancing maternal nutrition knowledge to improve child feeding practices, promoting gender equality in career development, and reducing food insecurity in households.

Background/Objectives: Prematurity and low birth weight (LBW) drive infant morbidity and mortality, requiring nutritional interventions, especially in food-insecure settings. In Indonesia, regional disparities in food security hinder adequate nutrition for premature and LBW infants, exacerbating health challenges. The aim of study is to investigate and determine predictors of food insecurity that impact health outcomes in children born with prematurity and/or low birth weight. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 657 mothers with children aged 36-59 months was conducted using random sampling. Data was collected via standardized questionnaires and analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results: Children of food-insecure households had a higher risk of LBW (AOR=1.89; 95% CI: 1.02–3.48). Low maternal education was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (AOR=2.95; 95% CI:1.66–5.25). The increase in prematurity may increase the risk of underweight status (AOR=2.19; 95% CI:1.27–3.82). Food insecurity correlated with maternal education and maternal employment status (AOR=2.46; 95% CI: 1.31–4.63 and AOR=1.46; 95% CI: 1.03–2.07, respectively). Conclusion: Food insecurity exacerbates risks for underweight children, particularly in the prevalence of prematurity. Initiative strategies to improve child health outcomes are essential, including enhancing maternal nutrition knowledge to improve child feeding practices, promoting gender equality in career development, and reducing food insecurity.

Background: Breastfeeding is the ideal source of nutrition for babies. Despite its benefits, breastfeeding practices and attitudes vary across cultures, influenced by societal norms, education, and personal experiences. This article shows the attitude differences among female students in Syria and Hungary and how sociocultural aspects impact their attitude towards breastfeeding. Methods: The questionnaire was a part of a multi-section questionnaire presented to 317 Syrian students and 303 Hungarian students. It assessed students’ attitudes towards breastfeeding through the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS). In addition to cross-tabulations, an exploratory data categorisation method, i.e., cluster analysis, was used in analysing the data. Results: Participants in both countries demonstrated strong agreement with statements highlighting the emotional and nutritional advantages of breastfeeding. In total, 67.2% of the participants disagreed with the idea that formula feeding is more convenient; similarly, 66.3% of them disagreed that breastfeeding causes fathers to feel emotionally excluded. Attitudes toward breastfeeding in public were more divided, reflecting the sensitivity of the topic and varying degrees of acceptance, with 48.7% of respondents disagreeing. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that nationality or age were significant predictors of belonging to various attitude clusters (SBM, SFF, FT): Syrian respondents and younger participants aged 21–30 years were more likely to belong to the Supporters of Breast Milk (SBM) cluster. In addition, paternal education level and urban residence also influenced feeding attitudes. Conclusions: This study shows the differences in attitude among Syrian and Hungarian female students, which is rooted in cultural diversity and its effect on individuals’ decisions.

Hungarian healthcare providers – as most of their colleagues around the world – engage in interaction with foreign patients, whom they do not share a mother tongue with, in English as a lingua franca (ELF) most of the time. These communicative situations pose great challenges to healthcare providers, as they have to be capable of adjusting their language use to their patients’ cognitive, linguistic and communicative-pragmatic schemata which often differ from their own. In order to develop such a capacity, ESP classes must focus on improving health science students’ awareness in exploring various ELF contexts which form ground for making informed decisions on the use of terminology. The present research aims at showing the complex dynamic nature of these ELF contexts based on empirical data collected via interviews with Hungarian healthcare providers who have extended experience in working with patients in international environments. The results can inform the everyday practice of ESP teachers in the field of the health sciences.

Background: Breastfeeding is known as the perfect nutrition for babies. Despite its benefits, breastfeeding practices and attitudes vary across cultures, influenced by soci-etal norms, education, and personal experiences. This article studies the attitude dif-ferences among female students in Syria and Hungary and how sociocultural aspects impact their attitude towards breastfeeding. Methods: The questionnaire was a part of a multi-section questionnaire presented to 317 Syrian students from Damascus Uni-versity and 303 Hungarian students from Semmelweis University and Eötvös Loránd University. It assessed students’ attitudes towards breastfeeding through the Iowa In-fant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS). SPSS was used to analyse data. Results: Partici-pants in both countries demonstrated strong agreement with statements highlighting the emotional and nutritional advantages of breastfeeding. Many participants disa-greed with the idea that formula feeding is more convenient or that breastfeeding causes fathers to feel emotionally excluded. Attitudes toward breastfeeding in public were more divided, reflecting the sensitivity of the topic and varying degrees of ac-ceptance. Notable cultural differences emerged, with Syrian participants generally ex-pressing more traditional and favourable views of breastfeeding, especially regarding ease of digestion and emotional fulfilment. In contrast, Hungarian participants tended to be more neutral or uncertain on several issues, particularly those related to nutri-tional content and concerns about overfeeding. Conclusions: This study shows the differences in attitude among Syrian and Hungarian female students, which is rooted in cultural diversity and its effect on individuals’ decisions.