[Breast feeding in the province of Padua from 1978 to 1993].
OBJECTIVE
The authors report the results of an epidemiological study on breastfeeding from 1978 to 1993, followed by the same operators using the same method in the same territory, a semi-rural area of the province of Padua. In particular, they report the results for 1993 and compare them with those of earlier years and with those in Selvazzano, a town lying on the outskirts of the city of Padua.


METHODS
A total of 963 of the 1115 women who had given birth during the study period were interviewed (85.6%).


RESULTS
The frequency of breastfeeding rose from 61% in 1978 to 81% in 1993 and its mean duration from 4 to 6.3 months. The frequency of breastfeeding in Selvazzano was slightly lower (72%) as was the mean duration (5.8 months). The factor which most strongly influenced breastfeeding was the mother's work: its frequency was 66.1% for factory workers, 89.9% for housewives, 79.2% for office workers and teachers, 85.7% for shopkeepers-craftworkers and 75% for managerial staff. From the overall data it was observed that the frequency of breastfeeding increased in parallel to the length of time off work after birth: it rose from 69% among working women taking 3 months off work to 86% in housewives and those taking > or = 13 months off work. The level of education had less of an effect on the decision to breastfeed: the frequency of breastfeeding in mothers with high-school diplomas or university degrees was 85% compared to 79% in those with a lower level of education. According to this study the age of the mother did not influence the frequency of breastfeeding.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors emphasise the need to carry out concrete new initiatives in favour of working mothers.
Zanon
A
A
Divisione di Pediatria, 0ULSS 15, Ospedale di Cittadella, Padova.
Formentin
P
P
Bolesani
C
C
Lago
F
F
Errico
G
G
Mastroprimiano
S
S
Toffanin
R
R
Sorgato
R
R
De Giorgi
G
G
D001942:Breast Feeding; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy; D014937:Work