[Assessing breastfeeding status in an urban area of southeastern Brazil: use of a simplified method].
BACKGROUND
The diagnosis of breastfeeding status in populations is necessary to define aims and to evaluate support and promotion programs related to this practice. Thus, the feasibility of undertaking such a diagnosis concomitantly with the National Multivaccination Campaign, was tested.


METHODS
A simplified questionnaire was used (3 yes/no questions) to study the present feeding of 1,550 children under 1 year old (91.8% coverage) who attended the vaccination venues in August 19th, 1995. The medians and frequencies from three patterns of breastfeeding were calculated by probit analysis technique.


RESULTS
The medians were: exclusive breastfeeding = 17 days (IC: 4.6-28.7); complete breastfeeding = 64 days (IC: 53.0-74.5) and breastfeeding = 167 days (IC: 153.7-182.2). The good adjustment of three patterns was attested by R2 values and by Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results confirmed the need for this program in the city. The simplified methodology was found to be available and is recommended for breastfeeding trend management and for studies on the impact resulting from intervention.
Carvalhaes
M A
MA
Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FM/UNESP/Botucatu), Brasil. carvalha@fmb.unesp.br
Parada
C M
CM
Manoel
C M
CM
Venâncio
S Y
SY
D001938:Brazil; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population