OBJECTIVES: to assess the effect of lactation introduction and amenorrhea as a contraceptive method on child health in a post-delivery program. METHODS: operational survey assessing total and exclusive breast feeding and some health indicators of children up to one year old, before and after the LAM program as a method offered to women after delivery in addition to education on breast feeding and family planning. Six hundred and ninety eight women who had their prenatal care in the Institution were broken into two groups: Group A receiving assistance before and B receiving assistance following the program. Statistical analysis used the Chi-Square test, survival analysis and Cox's logistic regression. RESULTS: Group A had 85.6% of morbid episodes up to 12 months and Group B 71.2%. The number of hospital admissions more than doubled for children in Group A. Weight and height of the children at twelve months old and accumulated rates of total breast feeding were significantly higher in Group B. CONCLUSIONS: this educational program is associated to better child health results and can be used in other institutions for its beneficial impact on child healthcare.
Breast feeding; Family Planning Services; Puerperium; Contraception; Child Health
