<b>Prevalence of breast-feeding in infants up to six months old, in Maringá, state of Paraná, Brazil</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v25i2.2222

Abstract

The maternal milk is the complete food for child's growth and development until the sixth month of life. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of breast-feeding in Maringá city, state of Paraná (PR) until the 6^th month and to characterize the mothers regarding social, economical and demographic variables, prenatal and natal assistance, newly born children characteristics. Also, to verify the association of exclusive breast-feeding until the 4^th month with the variables and to analyze the duration of the exclusive complete breast-feeding as well as the breast-feeding until the 6^th month. A traverse study was accomplished by means of inquiry domicile, with a sample of 373 children, through questionnaire, to characterize them according to the variables and to analyze the type and duration of breast-feeding until the 6th month. The variables, associated with exclusive breast-feeding until the 4^th month, were also studied. In the analysis of breast-feeding duration, the curve of Kaplan-Meier was used. The prevalence of breast-feeding at 4 and 6 months was 60.3% and 54.9%, respectively. In relation to exclusive breast-feeding, the prevalence was 14.2% and 9.5% at 4 and 6 months. We found positive association with exclusive breast-feeding in the 4^th month to the variables: married situation with bond, newly born with pregnancy age below 37 weeks and mothers with previous experience in breast-feeding.