OBJECTIVES: to analyze effectiveness of an exclusive breast feeding program in a needy community in the city São Paulo in order to redirect its actions. METHODS: descriptive-exploratory survey, retrospective, quantitative with data collected in 56 medical files of women seen by the Program from August 2002 to November, 2003. Variables: employment status, age, number of children and type of care received during delivery and birth; adhesion and abandonment of medical visits; reasons for abandonment; nursing situation at discharge. RESULTS: 100% of the women were unemployed, 39.3% were adolescents, 48.2% were primiparous, 67.9% had normal delivery, 78.6% were roomed in with their babies and 68.6% did not refer to early contact with the baby following birth, 51.8% adhered to the program and 48.2% abandoned the program for unknown reasons. When discharged, 17.3% of the mothers claimed to exclusive breast feeding for six months, 58.6% mixed and 24.1% used formulas. Early weaning occurred at an average of 96 days following birth. CONCLUSIONS: the Program, notwithstanding an apparent low effectiveness needs to be continued because it benefits both mother and child especially in the social and economic conditions of that community although new strategies are required to improve adhesion and exclusive breast feeding averages.
Breast feeding; Health promotion; Maternal-child nursing