title: [Breastfeeding practices among paid working mothers in Paraíba State, Brazil: a cross-sectional study].
abstract: Paid work should not be an obstacle to women's breastfeeding. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. In Brazil, women are legally entitled to 4 months of maternity leave, but in practice few women enjoy such benefits. How is it possible to practice exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months? We analyzed both the breastfeeding rates and whether paid jobs interfere with breastfeeding in Paraíba State, Northeast Brazil. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 70 of 223 municipalities (counties) during the annual immunization campaign in 2002. Among 11,076 infants (< 12 months of age), the exclusive breastfeeding rate at 0-4 months was 22.4% and was significantly higher among working women receiving maternity leave as compared to those who did not. The prevalence of total and predominant breastfeeding for 4 months was significantly lower among working women. In rural areas, having paid work was associated with a reduction in exclusive breastfeeding. The results show that breastfeeding practices in Paraíba fall far short of WHO recommendations, especially when mothers return to their paid jobs.
authors: Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brasil.
authors: Rodrigo Pinheiro de Toledo
authors: RP
authors: Vianna
authors: Marina Ferreira
authors: MF
authors: Rea
authors: Sonia Isoyama
authors: SI
authors: Venancio
authors: Maria Mercedes
authors: MM
authors: Escuder
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014931:Women, Working / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*