Document Type : original article
Authors
1 Associate Professor in Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health, School of Health, Ardabil University of Medical Science, Ardabil, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Health Information Management, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Science, Ardabil, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of community and preventive medicine, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Science, Ardabil, Iran
Abstract
Background: Breast milk provides essential and irreplaceable nutrients for an infant’s growth and development. Consequently, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of an infant’s life is important for their health and survival. This study aimed to determine predictors of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months among infants in Iran.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 379 lactating women with infants >6 months. Participants attended health care centers in Ardabil city, Iran during 2020. Information about mothers and infants was collected via a questionnaire. Differences in characteristics of women that engaged in exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months (EBF-6) compared to no exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months (NEBF-6) was analyzed via T-tests. Predictors of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months among infants was examined via logistic regression analyses.
Results: There were 196 respondents (51.7%) categorized into EBF-6 compared to 183 respondents (48.3%) categorized into NEBF-6. A greater number of women in EBF-6 compared to NEBF-6 were housewives (p=0.034). Additionally, the time of first breastfeeding after birth was earlier for EBF-6 compared to NEBF-6 (p<0.001). Among the variables related to exclusive breastfeeding, only the predictive power of breastfeeding in the first half hour after birth was confirmed (p=0.002). This finding suggested that breastfeeding soon after birth increased probability, by almost 6 times, engaging in exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months.
Conclusions: Breastfeeding soon after birth appears to strongly influence the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. Considering the important role of this practice in maintaining and ensuring maternal and child health, early initiation of breastfeeding after birth should be prioritized.
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