title: Factors associated with breastfeeding practice for at least six months in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the scientific consensus on the benefits that breastfeeding provides for the mother, the baby, the family and the environment, and also the recommendation to breastfeed exclusively for six months, this practice is far from being achieved.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for at least six month, as opposed to weaning up to the second month of life in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study of 124 cases (EBF for at least six months) matched for age and sex with 248 controls (weaning up to the second month of life). Cases and controls were drawn from the III State Health and Nutrition Survey. The exposure variables selected were maternal age and education, per capita income, housing zone, prenatal consultations, type of delivery, professional who assisted the delivery, and prenatal breastfeeding guidance. Logistic regression was applied to variables that showed a p-value < 0.2 in the bivariate analysis, and the variables with p-value < 0.05 were included in the final model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the eight groups of variables considered as possible predictors of EBF for at least six months, two remained as associated factors: maternal age between 20 - 35 years old, with odds ratio (OR) 2.5 and 95% confidence interval 95%CI 1.4 - 4.5; and maternal education of 5 - 8 years of schooling (OR 2.1; 95%CI 1.2 - 3.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study shows that mobilization of the public sector and stimulus to research is still needed for the success of EBF and for mother and child health.
authors: Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, PE, Brasil.
authors: Sandra Hipólito
authors: SH
authors: Cavalcanti
authors: Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, PE, Brasil.
authors: Maria de Fátima Costa
authors: Mde F
authors: Caminha
authors: Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, PE, Brasil.
authors: José Natal
authors: JN
authors: Figueiroa
authors: Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, PE, Brasil.
authors: Vilneide Maria Santos Braga Diegues
authors: VM
authors: Serva
authors: Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, PE, Brasil.
authors: Rachel de Sá Barreto Luna Callou
authors: Rde S
authors: Cruz
authors: Departamento de Nutrição, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil.
authors: Pedro Israel Cabral
authors: PI
authors: de Lira
authors: Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, PE, Brasil.
authors: Malaquias
authors: M
authors: Batista Filho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult