title: Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months postpartum in Valdivia, Chile.
abstract: A prospective cohort study was conducted in 315 mother-newborn dyads from Valdivia, Chile. A questionnaire was administered to mothers before 48 hours postpartum, and sociodemographic, obstetric, and neonatal data were collected. At 3 months postpartum, a follow-up by telephone interview or home visit was made, determining the proportion of mothers providing exclusive breastfeeding. Multivariate logistic regression was carried out to identify variables significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Follow-up data showed 98.1% were breastfeeding, and exclusive breastfeeding reached 69.5%. Withdrawal of exclusive breastfeeding was positively associated with single marital status (odds ratio, 2.49; 95% confidence interval: 1.48-4.20) and smoking during pregnancy (odds ratio, 2.61; 95% confidence interval: 1.48-4.60), while maternal education greater than 8 years was associated with continuation of exclusive breastfeeding (odds ratio, 0.45; 95% confidence interval: 0.24-0.84). Breastfeeding education strategies addressed to high-risk pregnant women (single with a low education level) must be emphasized in addition to prevention of nonhealthy habits, such as tobacco and alcohol consumption during gestation.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Enfermería, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja, Valdivia, Chile.
authors.forename: R Mauricio
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Barría
authors.forename: Gema
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Santander
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Victoriano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult