Exclusive breastfeeding in Colombia: analysis of data on respiratory infections and acute diarrhoeal diseases

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the fact that Colombia is the fourth country in the world with the highest concession of maternity leave days, it still does not cover what is defined as essential to reduce Respiratory Tract Infection (RTI) and Acute Diarrhoeal Disease (ADD) in infants. Objective: The objective of this research was to analyze indicators of respiratory infections and acute diarrheal diseases during exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in Colombia. Methodology: The management of solid research data at the institutional level used as instrument the LERU roadmap for health indicators in institutions attached to the Secretariat of Health of Bogota, based on the case study and matched controls 1: 2, from publications of the SaluData observatory, the Ten-Year Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding Plan- PDLMAC 2021-2030, as well as the registry book of infants between 0 to 5 months of age, taking as a focused sample the Hospital San Juan de Dios in Colombia, the detection of the occurrence of events that allow formulating a hypothesis in accordance with the variables: breastfeeding and maternity leave; respiratory infections and acute diarrheal diseases. Results: The findings show that there is an association between exclusive breastfeeding during maternity leave to reduce respiratory infections and acute diarrheal diseases in the hospitals attached to the Health Secretariat of Bogota. One in six children does not receive exclusive breastfeeding during maternity leave in Colombia. Conclusion: As implications, the public health strategies must be reconsidered to favor EBF and extend maternity leave times, complying with the 6-month goal defined by the World Health Organization.