title: Exclusive breastfeeding in 3 rural localities in Mexico.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first 6 months of life. A prospective, cohort study was conducted in 291 newborn children in 3 semirural localities in Mexico. Data were collected on infant-feeding practices, anthropometry, morbidity, and maternal and household characteristics. Two-stage multivariate regression models were used for statistical analysis. Prevalence of EBF was 50% at day 5. Average duration of EBF was 2.18 months. According to the 2-stage model, maternal age, maternal work, and better socioeconomic conditions were associated with EBF at day 5. Infant nutritional status, prevalence of diarrhea, giving colostrum to the newborn, and maternal experience in breastfeeding were associated with duration of EBF. The prevalence of EBF and its duration were much shorter than recommended internationally. EBF during the early days of life and EBF duration are 2 different processes that are determined by different factors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition and Health at the National Institute of Public Health of Mexico (NIPH) and NIPH.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Flores
authors.forename: Marta Rivera
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pasquel
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Maulén
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rivera
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D013997:Time Factors