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.
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Keywords
- infant nutrition
- duration of exclusive breasfeeding
- breastfeeding
- cohorts
- maternal health
- milk human
- child nutrition disorder
- fathers
- postpartum period
- Colombia
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