Author/Authors :
Bouanene, I. Faculté de Médecine de Monastir - Département de Médecine communautaire, Tunisia , ElMhamdi, S. Faculté de Médecine de Monastir - Département de Médecine communautaire, Tunisia , Sriha, A. Faculté de Médecine de Monastir - Département de Médecine communautaire, Tunisia , Bouslah, A. Service régional des Soins de Santé de Base, Tunisia , Soltani, M. Faculté de Médecine de Monastir - Département de Médecine communautaire, Tunisia
Abstract :
We assessed the prevalence of breastfeeding and its determinants and mothers’ knowledge and practices towards this issue among 354 women attending primary health centres for their child’s 6- month vaccination in the region of Monastir in 2008. The mean age of the women was 30 (SD 5.5) years. Most (90.8%) knew that breastfeeding helped prevent infections in babies but only 38.5% knew that breast milk supplies all infant feeding needs until 6 months of age. While was 94.4% breastfed their babies to start, only 1.9% continued exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months. Main reasons for stopping breastfeeding were perceived breast milk insufficiency followed by return to work. Exclusive breastfeeding over 3 months was associated with skin-to-skin contact (OR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.016–3.69) and mothers’ knowledge about breast milk benefits (OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.2-6.6). Early weaning was related to using pacifiers and breast-milk substitutes (OR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.08–0.36 and OR = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.05–0.38 respectively).
