Abstract

RAMOS, Carmen Viana et al. Prevalence of Exclusive Breastfeeding and associated factors in children born in Child-Friendly Hospitals in Teresina, State of Piaui, Brazil. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2010, vol.19, n.2, pp.115-124. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742010000200004.

This study assessed the factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding in public hospitals in Teresina, State of Piaui, Brazil. A total of 1,102 infants were surveyed. Probit analysis was used to calculate the probabilities of breastfeeding. The bivariate logistic regression model was used in order to analyze the association between variables. The probabilities found were: 19% for Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) and 16% for Predominant Breastfeeding (PBF) at 180 days; and 56% for Breastfeeding (BF) at 361 days. The median was 98 days for EBF and over 365 days for BF. There were differences between EBF medians and probabilities in the hospitals surveyed. The prevalence of EBF was higher among infants who were born in Hospital 3, who did not use baby bottles and were breastfed during the first 24 hours of life (p<0.05). Results show a better breastfeeding profile if compared to other studies, although below recommendations, reflecting the need for strategies to improve indexes.

Keywords : breastfeeding; prevalence; evaluation of health programs and projects.

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