[Breastfeeding practices among paid working mothers in Paraíba State, Brazil: a cross-sectional study].
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.
Vianna
Rodrigo Pinheiro de Toledo
RP
Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brasil.
Rea
Marina Ferreira
MF
Venancio
Sonia Isoyama
SI
Escuder
Maria Mercedes
MM
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*