Determinants of Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding of Infants in Isfahan, Iran



Yaghini SO¹ ; Danesh F² ; Modaresi MR¹ ; Saneian H¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Isfahan Medical School Published:2011

Abstract

Background: There are many studies shown the advantages of breastfeeding, not only for the infant, but also for the mother. There is no doubt that breastfeeding carries many advantages. Mother's milk is more benefit than formula. Breastfeeding reduce the risk of post natal bleeding infectious disease, breast and ovarian cancer, iron deficiency anemia and even death. There are several factors influence exclusive breastfeeding in the first six month after birth. It is necessary that hygienic systems and mothers baby clinics do suitable proceeding to increase the rate of breastfeeding. Methods: This cross sectional study conducted in Isfahan urban health centers in 2008. The sample size was calculated by especial formula for prevalence study. In this study, we selected 656 children living in Isfahan by easy method. The data were analyzed by SPSS software using Student-t and chisquare test. Finding: 537 (819%) were fed by breastfeeding and 119 (18.1%) were fed by formula. In addition, 235 of boys (78.9%) and 301 of girls (84.3%) were feed by breastfeeding and the difference between two groups was not statistically significant. Many factors have positive role for breastfeeding such as mothers' awareness mothers job, rank of birth, birth weight and etc and this factors must be noticed by responsibility of public health. Conclusion: This study showed the effect of some factors such as socioeconomic status of family, birth weight, type of delivery and etc in the breastfeeding.