[Initiation and duration of breastfeeding in obstetrical hospitals of Aix-Chambery (France)].
Our objectives were to estimate duration of breastfeeding and to identify factors associated with initiation and weaning.


METHODS
A prospective study was carried out among 353 mothers delivering in three obstetric hospitals at Aix-Chambery (Savoie, France). Breastfeeding was considered as survival data with censored observations. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.


RESULTS
Breastfeeding was initiated by 70.8% (66.1-75.5) (exclusive breastfeeding = 39.9% and complementary breastfeeding = 30.9%). Respectively, 58.1% (52.9-63.3) and 12.2% (8.3-16.1) were continuing some breastfeeding at one and six months. The median duration of breastfeeding was 13 weeks (11.6-14.4). Shorter duration was associated with contact beyond one hour from birth (adjusted Hazard Ratio [aHR] = 1.25 [1.03-1.52] and with contact beyond eight hours aHR = 1.78 [1.66-1.92]), pacifier use (aHR = 1.72 [1.19-2.47]), breastfeeding at fixed hours (aHR = 1.78 [1.29-2.45]), and decision to breastfeed during pregnancy or the postpartum period (aHR = 1.70 [1.45-2.00]).


CONCLUSIONS
Breastfeeding initiation and duration were higher in maternity hospitals of Chambéry than estimations measured in the 1998 French perinatal survey and in other ad hoc surveys. Identified factors should be used in order to plan future programs designed to increase duration of breastfeeding.
Labarère
J
J
Unité d'évaluation médicale, BP 217, centre hospitalier universitaire, 38043 Grenoble, France. jlabarere@chu-grenoble.fr
Dalla-Lana
C
C
Schelstraete
C
C
Rivier
A
A
Callec
M
M
Polverelli
J F
JF
François
P
P
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006306:Health Surveys; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009774:Obstetrics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
Initiation et durée de l'allaitement maternel dans les établissements d'Aix et Chambéry (France).