Abstract
BackgroundBreastfeeding within the first hour of life is a potential mechanism for health promotion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of breastfeeding initiation within the first hour of life in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil, between 2004 and 2005, and investigate the influence of maternal, child and prenatal factors on this practice.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study extracted from the results of a contemporary cohort conducted in 10 maternity hospitals in the city of Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil. A group of 1,309 mother-child pairs was included in the study. Information about mother's and baby's characteristics, pregnancy, birth, and time of breastfeeding initiation was collected in the first 72 hours after delivery, through interview with mothers and hospital records. The data gathered were stored and analyzed using the SPSS 16.0 and R 8.0. The chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between breastfeeding within the first hour and different variables.Results47.1% of the mothers initiated breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. Early initiation of breastfeeding was associated with birth at full term pregnancy (adjusted Prevalence Ratio 1.43; 95% confidence interval 1.10 to 2.00), mothers who received prenatal guidance regarding the advantages of breastfeeding (aPR1.23; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.41) and vaginal delivery (aPR 2.78; 95% CI 2.38 to 3.23).ConclusionsIn order to improve the rates of breastfeeding within the first hour of life, health care professionals must promote the factors favoring this practice such as prenatal guidance regarding the advantages of breastfeeding, vaginal delivery and full term birth, and stimulate this practice in vulnerable situations such as mothers with cesarean section and preterm birth.
Highlights
Breastfeeding within the first hour of life is a potential mechanism for health promotion
Study population and prevalence of breastfeeding initiation within the first hour of life The prevalence of breastfeeding initiation within the first hour of life in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil in this study was 47.1%. This is considered “low” according to the classification of the World Health Organization. This prevalence was lower than the values published in a recent survey about breastfeeding prevalence, conducted in the Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District by the Ministry of Health, which showed a rate of breastfeeding within the first hour of life of 67.7% [2]
It was lower than the percentage found in the survey carried out in Feira de Santana in 2001 (52.2%), in which the same methodology as in the Ministry of Health survey was used, i.e. a cross-sectional design [5]
Summary
Breastfeeding within the first hour of life is a potential mechanism for health promotion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of breastfeeding initiation within the first hour of life in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil, between 2004 and 2005, and investigate the influence of maternal, child and prenatal factors on this practice. Within the search for mechanisms and actions to reverse the trend towards early weaning, measures have been taken aimed at promoting, encouraging and supporting breastfeeding. Among these measures, the following can be highlighted: modifications of prenatal routines in maternity hospitals; greater value placed on breastfeeding within the first hour of life, in the delivery room; rooming-in; and measures after discharge from hospital [1]. The study did not state the factors associated with this practice [5]
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