Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice in a cohort of women from Cali, Colombia
Abstract
Introduction: Breastfeeding promotion is one of the most effective strategies to prevent child malnutrition; it reduces costs to families, health services and society. In Colombia, exclusive breastfeeding is practiced only by 10% of women.
Objective: To identify factors associated with the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.
Methods: A cohort of 438 primiparous women was followed during 6 months by means of 8 home interviews, in order to determine the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Individual, family and health service factors were studied; and survival analysis was carried out.
Results: At 8 days, only a few more than half of the participants maintained exclusive breastfeeding; at month 6 of follow-up, this proportion was reduced to 1.4%. The duration of exclusive breastfeeding was determined by: initiation of breastfeeding in the first 4 hours after delivery (HR= 4.07, 95% CI: 0.96-16.67), selfperceived sureness for breastfeeding (HR= 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04 -1.58), positive opinion of the baby's father regarding breastfeeding (HR= 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01-1.57), and newborn weight (HR= 1.23, 95% CI: 1.00-1.53).
Conclusion: There are factors before delivery and in the immediate puerperium that determine, partially, the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.
Authors
Downloads
Keywords
- infant nutrition
- duration of exclusive breasfeeding
- breastfeeding
- cohorts
- maternal health
- milk human
- child nutrition disorder
- fathers
- postpartum period
- Colombia
The copy rights of the articles published in Colombia Médica belong to the Universidad del Valle. The contents of the articles that appear in the Journal are exclusively the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Editorial Committee of the Journal. It is allowed to reproduce the material published in Colombia Médica without prior authorization for non-commercial use
