title: [Weaning before the age of 6 months in Marrakech: associated factors and prevalence].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Morocco breastfeeding has become a declining practice. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of weaning before the age of 6 months and to identify associated factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 mothers of infants aged 0 to 24 months. Participants were recruited from patients attending 40 randomly selected general practices in Marrakech. A trained interviewer administered a questionnaire to collect data on breastfeeding practice and factors associated with it. Early weaning was defined as a cessation of breastfeeding before the age of 6 months and was studied in mother-child couples whose infants were aged 6 months and older. Three binary logistic regression models were used to model the probability that an infant aged 6 months or more is weaned early.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Breastfeeding was initiated by the majority of respondents (97.5%). Early weaning was observed in 75 infants (28% of registered weaning). Factors associated with early weaning were: mother having an occupational activity (Odds Ratio [OR]=2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.07-4.06]), caesarean delivery (OR=4.15; 95% CI: [1.74-9.88]) and the fact that the pregnancy was desired (OR=0.19; 95% CI: [0.05-0.68]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weaning before 6 months of age is a common practice in our context. Identifying factors associated with early weaning is critical to promote breastfeeding.
authors.affiliation: Service d'épidémiologie, laboratoire PCIM, faculté de médecine et de pharmacie, université Cadi Ayyad, CHU Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Maroc. Electronic address: l.adarmouch@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Adarmouch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abourrahouat
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sebbani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amine
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sbihi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014886:Weaning; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Allaitement maternel; Breast feeding; Infant; Maroc; Morocco; Nourrisson; Sevrage; Weaning