[Primary care centers and breast-feeding].
OBJECTIVE
To study activities that promote, maintain and support breast feeding in primary care centers in our health district and to evaluate the commitment of health center directors' to breast feeding, their knowledge of the subject, and programs involved in the promotion of natural breast-feeding.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out through surveys to those in charge of health centers, nursing, pediatric programs and pregnancy programs.


RESULTS
Eighty surveys were sent to center and program directors. Answers were obtained from 66.2 %. A total of 6.9 % of the centers had no program or protocol for the promotion and maintenance of breast-feeding, nor did they seek the collaboration of support groups. Only 28.8 % of the centers surveyed carried out activities that provided special support to mothers with difficulties in breast-feeding. In contrast, 80.4 % possessed an adequate register on the incidence of breast-feeding. In 74.5 % of the centers, health professionals were given no specific training on the subject. Only 14.9 % of the centers had rules prohibiting visible leaflets, posters or samples of formula milk. In 84.6 % of the centers, no place was provided where breast-feeding could be carried out, observed, and possible problems corrected.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the primary care centers surveyed do not promote programmed activities favoring the promotion and maintenance of breast-feeding. Nevertheless, many centers provide advice on breast-feeding. Collaboration with support groups or other resources that might exist in the community is not generally sought. Specific training in breast-feeding is not given to the centers' health professionals. Only a minority of the centers possesses an appropriate place where mothers can breast-feed if they wish and where the process of breast-feeding can be observed and modified. The results suggest that primary care centers do not provide the necessary support to ensure successful breast-feeding and that they lack the resources necessary to achieve this aim.
Nacher Fernández
A
A
Pediatras de equipos de atención primaria y consultorios del área 02 de Castellón. clabordena@comcas.es
Sanantonio Valdearcos
F
F
Barreda Simó
I
I
Palau Fuster
G
G
Palomares Gimeno
M J
MJ
Agramunt Soler
G
G
Fabregat Julve
I
I
Labordena Barceló
C
C
D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011320:Primary Health Care; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires