title: [Knowledge and practices of women in Monastir, Tunisia regarding breastfeeding].
abstract: We assessed the prevalence of breastfeeding and its determinants and mothers' knowledge and practices towards this issue among 354 women attending primary health centres for their child's 6- month vaccination in the region of Monastir in 2008. The mean age of the women was 30 (SD 5.5) years. Most (90.8%) knew that breastfeeding helped prevent infections in babies but only 38.5% knew that breast milk supplies all infant feeding needs until 6 months of age. While was 94.4% breastfed their babies to start, only 1.9% continued exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months. Main reasons for stopping breastfeeding were perceived breast milk insufficiency followed by return to work. Exclusive breastfeeding over 3 months was associated with skin-to-skin contact (OR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.016-3.69) and mothers' knowledge about breast milk benefits (OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.2-6.6). Early weaning was related to using pacifiers and breast-milk substitutes (OR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.08-0.36 and OR = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.05-0.38 respectively).
authors.affiliation: Département de Médecine communautoire, Faculté de Médecine de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisie. bouaneneines@gmail.com
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bouanene
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: ElMhamdi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sriha
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bouslah
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soltani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014416:Tunisia; D055815:Young Adult