This study aimed to evaluate whether follow-up of breastfeeding mothers at maternity hospitals classified as "Baby-Friendly Hospitals" in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil, was a protective factor against mastitis. This was a cross-sectional study in which 2,543 mothers of infants (< 1 year of age) were selected by simple stratification and interviewed by 104 college students at immunization services. Measures of association (odds ratio, 95%CI) and statistical significance were calculated by the chi-square test and respective p values. Multivariate analysis was performed using the logistic regression model. Women who delivered in "Baby-Friendly Hospitals" had a lower prevalence of lactational mastitis (3.6% vs. 5.3%; OR = 0.68; 95%CI: 0.46-1.01). Additionally, delivery in Baby-Friendly Hospitals (OR = 0.71; 95%CI: 0.48-1.06), absence of nipple fissure (OR = 0.27; 95%CI: 0.19-0.40), and no maternal outdoor work (OR = 0.64; 95%CI: 0.44-0.94) were also associated with a decreased prevalence of lactational mastitis. Prevalence of lactational mastitis was observed to be lower in women delivering in "Baby-Friendly Hospitals" with breastfeeding counseling programs.
Breast Feeding; Mastitis; Program Evaluation; Hospital Practice
