engleski

Predictors of initiation and duration of breastfeeding among pregnant women in Split, Croatia

The aim of this study was to assess predictors of initiation and duration of breastfeeding among pregnant women in Split, Croatia. The study was conducted among 375 pregnant women between January 2006 and May 2007 in Split, Croatia. The baseline questionnaire gave information on socioeconomic factors and attitudes toward breastfeeding. Attitudes were assessed using the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS). Women were followed up by telephone interview at 1, 3 and 6 months postpartum. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS for Windows, Version 13.0 (SPSS Inc. Chicago IL). Differences were considered statistically significant if p<.05. Breastfeeding rates at initiation, 1, 3 and 6 months postpartum were 92.8%, 78.1%, 62.1%, and 48.5%, respectively. A positive correlation with initiation and duration of breastfeeding was found amongst highly educated mothers (>15 years of education), those attending prenatal courses, with previous breastfeeding experience, who received support from significant others and those mothers with positive attitudes toward breastfeeding. Initiation of breastfeeding was negatively associated with infants` low birth weight and pre-term delivery ; whereas duration of breastfeeding was negatively associated with breastfeeding problems (difficulties), delivery of twins and smoking during pregnancy. A significant predictor of breastfeeding initiation for primiparas was support received from significant others (OR=7.94 ; 95% CI 2.18-28.92), and predictors of duration of breastfeeding were support (OR=2.05 ; 95% CI 1.09-3.83) and positive attitude toward breastfeeding (OR=1.06 ; 95% CI 1.02-1.12). A significant predictors of breastfeeding initiation among multiparas were previous breastfeeding experience (OR=12.03 ; 95% CI 1.92-75.44) and a positive attitude toward breastfeeding (OR=1.14 ; 95% CI 1.02-1.30). Favorable predictor of breastfeeding duration among multiparas was a positive attitude toward that activity (OR=1.1 ; 95%CI 1.05-1.16). Although breastfeeding rates were improved when compared with earlier findings, they are still below the WHO and EU recommendations. Since all predictors of breastfeeding are potentially modifiable, our efforts should be focused on breastfeeding promotion, leading to better attitudes and greater support of this important endeavor.

breastfeeding; predictor; Croatia

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