[Factors associated with breastfeeding in two municipalities with low human development index in Northeast Brazil].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the duration of breastfeeding and to identify factors associated with exclusive / predominant breastfeeding in children under two years old.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study conducted from March to June 2005 in the municipalities of Gameleira and São João do Tigre, located in the interior of Pernambuco and Paraiba States. The sample comprised 504 children under two years (280 residents in Gameleira and 224 in São João do Tigre). Survival analysis was used to estimate the median duration of survival time of breastfeeding and the associations with socioeconomic conditions, factors related to mothers and children and health care.

RESULTS

The duration of exclusive and exclusive/predominant breastfeeding and breastfeeding were of 19, 79 and 179 days in Gameleira and 23, 91 and 169 days in São João do Tigre, respectively. Mothers with better socioeconomic conditions, as represented by education, sanitation, and possession of consumer goods, had a higher median duration of exclusive/ predominant breastfeeding in both towns. Prenatal care represented by higher number of attendance, earlier onset and feeding and breastfeeding advice had a positive influence on breastfeeding duration.

CONCLUSIONS

Breastfeeding duration was lower than the recommendation. Despite the families precarious living conditions, a better socioeconomic status and prenatal care were protective factors for exclusive/ predominant breastfeeding duration in these areas.