Specifying the antecedents of breast-feeding duration in Peru through a structural equation model.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of socioeconomic status and biocultural variables (planned pregnancy, prenatal care, timing of initiation of breast-feeding and caesarean section delivery) on breast-feeding duration in Peru using structural equation models.


METHODS
Structural equation models were analysed with LISREL using data from the 1991-92 Peruvian Demographic and Health Survey.


METHODS
Models were tested among 6,020 women whose last child was born within 5 years of the survey and among 2,711 women whose last child was born 2-5 years preceding the survey.


RESULTS
Unplanned pregnancy and socioeconomic status had a negative influence on breast-feeding duration. Prenatal care was positively associated with the timing of breast-feeding initiation in both samples and with breast-feeding duration in the whole sample. The timing of breast-feeding initiation was inversely associated with breast-feeding duration only in the sample of older children.


CONCLUSIONS
These results imply that an unplanned pregnancy, a delayed breast-feeding initiation, and higher socioeconomic status are risk factors for an earlier discontinuation of breast-feeding through complex mechanisms involving direct and indirect effects.
Pérez-Escamilla
R
R
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-4017, USA. rperez@canr1.cag.uconn.edu
Cobas
J A
JA
Balcazar
H
H
Holland Benin
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013997:Time Factors