Determinants of optimal breast-feeding in peri-urban Guatemala City, Guatemala.
OBJECTIVE
This survey was conducted to identify factors affecting early initiation of breast-feeding and exclusive breast-feeding among mothers in peri-urban Guatemala City, Guatemala.


METHODS
In early November 1999 a census was begun in four communities of peri-urban Guatemala City, Guatemala, to identify all children < 6 months old as well as all pregnant women who were expected to deliver during the two-month data-gathering period. After the census was completed, a survey of breast-feeding practices was administered to all mothers of infants < 6 months of age.


RESULTS
The most important determinant of early initiation of breast-feeding was place of delivery. Children born at home (odds ratio (OR) = 4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-13.3) and at Ministry of Health health centers (OR = 4.9, 95% CI: 1.6-15.0) were significantly more likely than children born at private hospitals to initiate breast-feeding early. The most important determinant of exclusive breast-feeding was whether or not the mother worked outside the home. After controlling for infant's age and sex and mother's ethnicity, women who did not work outside the home were 3.2 times as likely (95% CI: 1.6-6.4) to exclusively breast-feed as were women who worked outside the home. Lack of exclusive breast-feeding was often associated with giving a bottle.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that global efforts must be continued to improve breast-feeding practices in delivery hospitals. In addition, community-based support of breast-feeding is needed well after delivery. Mothers who work outside the home should be provided with options to maintain exclusive breast-feeding when they are physically separated from their infants due to the demands of work.
Dearden
Kirk
K
Brigham Young University, Department of Health Science, Provo, Utah, USA. kirk_dearden@byu.edu
Altaye
Mekibib
M
De Maza
Irma
I
De Oliva
Maritza
M
Stone-Jimenez
Maryanne
M
Morrow
Ardythe L
AL
Burkhalter
Barton R
BR
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002657:Child Development; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003625:Data Collection; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006166:Guatemala; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012944:Social Support