Frequency and factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding: A cross-sectional study in southern Iran

Although awareness of the importance of breast milk and breastfeeding has increased, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of an infantchr('39')s life is not optimal. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding and factors affecting it among infants under 6 months of age in Bushehr, Iran.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 on 403 mothers whose children were under one year of age and referred to health centers in Bushehr Iran. Ten health centers were randomly selected as a sample. Participants completed a questionnaire providing demographic information, information on exclusive breastfeeding and reasons for discontinuation of breastfeeding. Data were analyzed using SPSS software at a significance level of 0.05.

  The frequency of exclusive breastfeeding in this study was 33.7%. Maternal literacy level (P<0.001), fatherchr('39')s employment (P= 0.018) and the interval between pregnancies (P=0.041) were significantly related to exclusive breastfeeding. The most common reasons for discontinuing exclusive breastfeeding were advice from others (31.9%), infant crying (19%) and motherchr('39')s perception that her milk was not enough (14.1%).

The results of this study showed that the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding was low in Bushehr. The main reasons for discontinuing exclusive breastfeeding were the advice of others and the motherchr('39')s mistaken belief that her milk was insufficient. Education programs to promote breastfeeding should involve not only mothers but also other caregivers of infants.