Breastfeeding indicators in the city of Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate breast-feeding indicators surveying current alimentary status of under- two-year-old children.METHODS: During Vaccinations day, on June 15th, 1996, 3,898 mothers were interviewed in urban areas of Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil. The methodology proposed at WHO/CED/SER 91.14 was used. Rates were calculated for the appropriate age groups: breast-feeding exclusive and predominant, persistence of breast-feeding one and two years, median duration of breast-feeding, timely complemented breast-feeding, bottle-feeding and pacifiers utilization.RESULTS: The main results were exclusive breastfeeding rate of 45.6%, in children from 0-3 months old; breastfeeding medium duration of 9 months; and persistence of 45.4% of breastfeeding in children from 12-15 months old. CONCLUSIONS: These results pointed that children in Feira de Santana are benefitting from breast-feeding more than in other areas of Bahia and other states of the Brazilian Northeast reflecting correct orientation. The methodology revealed ease to applicate providing significant and replicable samples. Wider utilization of standardized methodologies will contribute to improve monitoring of breast-feeding indicators in Brazil.