Breastfeeding related practices of 15-49 years old mothers and influencing factors

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine feeding behaviors and breastfeeding patterns of 15-49 years old mothers and to identify factors having impact on these practices.

Methods: Three hundred and thirty mothers (15-49 years old) were included in the study. They were selected by simple randomized sampling method among those women who applied to gynecology clinics at Mardin Maternity and Child Health Hospital, between 1st October and 30th November, 2012. A pre-prepared questionnaire was applied to the participants by using face to face interviewing technique.

Results: Of 330 mothers with mean age of 28.2±5.2 years, 23.5% gave breast milk to their babies until 6 months, with 24.4% until 12 months, 40.8% until 24 months and 11.3% over 24 months. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months was 69.1%. Exclusive breastfeeding rate was higher among the the mothers having higher educational level (p=0.017). Mothers who started to give complementary food to their babies after 6 months were mostly from vocational high schools and universities; as the educational level of mothers decreased, some statistically nonsignificant divergences from this encouraged practice were seen, significance (p>0.05). Mothers who were graduates from vocational high schools and universities, got information about breastfeeding mostly from health professionals. The source of information was family and close relatives/friends for the participants having lower educational level (p= 0.018).

Conclusions: Although breastfeeding is a common practice among most of the participants, as the educational level decreases, starting complementary feeding at unrecommended months increase. On the other hand, as the educational level of mothers decreases, the period of breastfeeding prolongs.