Authors

Vanesa Cuartero Gómez1, María del Carmen Padilla Vinuesa2, Francisca Sánchez Martínez1,Francisco Javier Sánchez Ruiz-Cabello3

Position

1Enfermera. Centro de Salud Zaidín Sur. Granada2Especialista en Obstetricia y Ginecología. Hospital Clínico Universitario San Cecilio. Granada3Especialista en Pediatría. Centro de Salud Zaidín Sur. Granada

Contact address

Vanesa Cuartero Gómez. C/ José Recuerda, 3. 18004 Granada

Contact email: magosa2@hotmail.es

Abstract

Objective: to understand the prevalence of maternal breastfeeding (BF) at birth, its time of duration, and factors associated with the initiation and maintenance of exclusive BF, as well as to identify the causes for discontinuation.
Method: a retrospective observational study (2016-2017). The study population attended the Public Health Centre Zaidín Sur de Granada. A random sample of 60 babies was selected from 326 babies in total born in 2015. Their mothers were contacted by telephone for an interview about BF. Descriptive and bivariate analysis; statistical significance if p< 0.05.
Results: the prevalence of exclusive BF at birth was 71.7%, at three months: 58%, and at six months: 43.3%. The causes identified for non-initiation of BF were, mainly, hypogalactia, the baby did not hold the nipple well, and disease in the mother. The most usual causes for BF discontinuation were hypogalactia (57.1%) and lack of time by the mother when returning to work (23.8%). Exclusive BF was maintained for a longer time by mothers with university studies (mean 4.13 months) and those non-smoking (mean 3.74), presenting statistically significant differences (p< 0.05).
Conclusions: the prevalence of BF at birth and over time provides favorable data in the sample studied. Two factors with impact on BF have been identified: the level of studies of the mother and her non-smoking status. Hypogalactia was the main cause for not initiating and discontinuing BF.

Keywords:

breastfeeding; prevalence; epidemiological factors

Versión en Español

Título:

Factores que influyen en el inicio y mantenimiento de la lactancia materna exclusiva