Determinants of Breastfeeding Duration in Shiraz, Southwest Iran.

Mahnaz Zarshenas,Yun Zhao,Colin W Binns,Jane A Scott

doi:10.3390/ijerph17041192

Abstract

A prospective cohort study was conducted in Shiraz in the south west of Iran to investigate breastfeeding from birth to six months of age. Mothers were recruited in a face-to-face interview within 48 h of giving birth in three public and two private hospitals (n = 700). They were then followed-up at 4, 12, 16, and 26 weeks postpartum in local Maternal and Child Health Clinics. Upon being discharge from hospital, 98.7% of mothers were breastfeeding and 74.3% were ‘fully’ breastfeeding, but only 29.9% of mothers had breastfed ‘exclusively’ since birth. The median duration of ‘full’ breastfeeding was 13 weeks and less than 1 week for exclusive breastfeeding. In a multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression, after adjustment, shorter durations of ‘exclusive’, ‘full’, and ‘any’ breastfeeding were associated with the introduction of a pacifier. The in-hospital use of formula and prelacteal feeds were also associated with a shorter duration of full and any breastfeeding. Breastfeeding on demand at 3 months and beyond was associated with a longer duration of breastfeeding. The risk factors associated with the premature discontinuation of breastfeeding identified in this study are all related to the “Ten steps to successful breastfeeding” and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). The principles that the BFHI provide are reaffirmed in this study as the basis for future breastfeeding promotion programs.

Highlights

Breastmilk provides the optimum nutrition for infants, protects against infection, promotes long-term health and is a crucial component of public health
The promotion of breastfeeding will result in important gains in health for Iran, which is a part of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region discussed in the review of Rollins et al [9]
The aim of this paper is to document factors associated with breastfeeding duration in Shiraz, a city located in the south west region of Iran

Summary

Introduction

Breastmilk provides the optimum nutrition for infants, protects against infection, promotes long-term health and is a crucial component of public health. Infants who are not exclusively breastfed for the first months of their lives and are given other foods are more likely to be admitted to hospital with infections [4,5,6]. Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and other international authorities recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by the introduction of appropriate complementary foods. The promotion of breastfeeding will result in important gains in health for Iran, which is a part of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region discussed in the review of Rollins et al [9]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion