engleski

Breastfeeding practices in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Cross-sectional self-report study

AIM: To establish breastfeeding practice among mothers of infants in Mostar through cross-sectional self-report study i.e. the frequency of breastfeeding, substitution feeding and reasons for terminating breastfeeding. METHODS and PARTICIPANTS: The study was conducted on 326 mothers of infants from January to May 2003. The survey was held at the Advisory Center for infants at the Public Medical Center in Mostar and at the Children's Department of University Hospital Mostar. The data were collected as a structured interview survey with mothers who were at the time in the places of the survey. RESULTS: At the age of 1, 3, 6, and 12 months respectively 85%, 70%, 44%, 8% children were breastfed. For the first three months there was statistically significant difference in favor of breastfeeding than the non-breastfeeding. Substitution milk was introduced into infants' diet at a very early stage, so that 31%, 43%, 85%, and 62% of infants got the infant formula at the age of 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Cow's milk was given already to 19% of 6 months old infants, and the proportion was increasing with age. Tea and water were often added to the infants' diet. The most frequent reason for terminating breastfeeding given by the mothers was "the lack of milk". Decision whether to breastfeed or not was made by the participants themselves, and in 85% of cases it was done before the delivery. A very small number of mothers got an advice from the medical staff (27%). CONCLUSION: The number of breastfed infants showed a decreasing trend after the age of 3 month. Formula products were introduced into diet at a very early stage. Cow's milk was introduced as early as six months of age. The reasons why mothers usually terminated breastfeeding often showed their ignorance of the indications for ablactation. Overall, they are not aware of their lack of knowledge about the advantages of the natural infant nourishment. A need for a better breastfeeding education of mothers comes as a main conclusion of this study.

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