Specifying the antecedents of breast-feeding duration in Peru through a structural equation model.

Abstract

To examine the effects of socioeconomic status and biocultural variables (planned pregnancy, prenatal care, timing of initiation of breast-feeding and caesarean section delivery) on breast-feeding duration in Peru using structural equation models. Structural equation models were analysed with LISREL using data from the 1991-92 Peruvian Demographic and Health Survey. Models were tested among 6,020 women whose last child was born within 5 years of the survey and among 2,711 women whose last child was born 2-5 years preceding the survey. Unplanned pregnancy and socioeconomic status had a negative influence on breast-feeding duration. Prenatal care was positively associated with the timing of breast-feeding initiation in both samples and with breast-feeding duration in the whole sample. The timing of breast-feeding initiation was inversely associated with breast-feeding duration only in the sample of older children. These results imply that an unplanned pregnancy, a delayed breast-feeding initiation, and higher socioeconomic status are risk factors for an earlier discontinuation of breast-feeding through complex mechanisms involving direct and indirect effects.