DETERMINANTS OF THE INTENTION TO BREASTFEED EXCLUSIVELY FOR SIX MONTHS IN TWO CITIES FROM RIO DE JANEIRO STATE, BRAZIL

INTRODUCTION: Exclusive breastfeeding is known worldwide as the prime feeding method for infants under six months of age. Even though many efforts are performed to educate women and health professionals on its importance and recommendations, rates of exclusive breastfeeding for six months are still low in Brazil and many other countries around the planet. This study aims to identify determinants of maternal intention to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months.

METHODS:  This is a prevalence follow-up study with a sample of 1359 pregnant women, users of the Unified Health System (SUS) in Queimados and Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Information on mother’s intention to breastfeed exclusively until six months was collected during post-partum interview. Bivariate analysis was performed and variables that reached p≤0.10 and correlation levels among each other <0.8, were then analyzed using Poisson regression with robust variance. P-values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS:  45.1% (IC95% 42.5-47.8%) of women intended to exclusive breastfeed their infants until 6 month of age. On the multivariate analysis, the following variables remained significantly associated with the outcome: higher economic class (PR 1.61, CI95% 1.03-2.51), being multiparous (PR 0.84, CI95% 0.74-0.96), inadequacy of prenatal care (PR 0.80, CI95% 0.66-0.98), proper orientation regarding breastfeeding (PR 1.21, CI95% 1.03-0.43), receiving prenatal care in more than one health care unit (PR 0.76, CI95% 0.65-0.90), c-section (PR 1,15, CI95% 1.01-1.32) and being placed in rooming-in care (PR 1.64, CI95% 1.29-2.07).

CONCLUSIONS:  Prevalence of having the intention to exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months was low, showing the need for early intervention, especially during antenatal care and immediate post-partum period.