Abstract

BELO, Marcela M. et al. Results of research into the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding vary depending on the approach taken in the interview. J. Pediatr. (Rio J.) [online]. 2011, vol.87, n.4, pp. 364-368. ISSN 0021-7557.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0021-75572011000400015.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding using two different interview approaches. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 309 mothers of children aged 0 to 6 months, with a median age of 11 days. Mothers were interviewed at the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira during November and December of 2009. Two approaches to the interview were tested: firstly, the mother was asked if complementary foods had been given during the preceding 24 hours. Secondly, they were asked if at any point during the child’s life any other foods had been given. The marginal homogeneity test was applied and the significance level was 5%. RESULTS: According to the 24-hour recall, the frequency of exclusive breastfeeding was 78.0%. According to the wider-ranging recall period, the frequency was 59.2% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of the exclusive breastfeeding is overestimated using the 24-hour recall compared with the whole-life recall.

Keywords : Breastfeeding; methods; evaluation.