Exclusive breastfeeding: does the presence of a partner have a positive impact on its duration? cohort study

Abstract

Objectives:  to identify whether the presence of a partner is a protective factor for a longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) of women living in João Pessoa and assisted by the Public Health System.

Methods:  cohort with pregnant women recruited from health services and followed up at their homes. Socioeconomic and demographic information, information on prenatal care, childbirth, puerperium care and baby nutrition were collected. Median EBF was calculated by survival analysis, Kaplan-Meyer, with log-rank test for group comparison. The independent EBF factors were estimated with multiple Cox regression. A 5% significance level was considered.

Results:  162 women and their children were assessed. The median EBF was 120 days. Until the first four months of postpartum, women with a partner had longer EBF (p=0.002). In the final model, “having received prenatal guidance” (HR= 1.67; 95%CI= 1.05 - 2.65), “not having difficulty in breastfeeding after hospital discharge” (HR= 1. 58; 95%CI= 1.03 - 2.42) and “not using a pacifier” (HR= 1.64; 95%CI= 1.07 - 2.53) favored longer EBF duration.

Conclusion:  encouraging partner’s support for longer periods may be a viable strategy for improving EBF. Promotional actions and not offering pacifiers are important for a longer duration of EBF, and support and management in the puerperium period needs to be strengthened.

Key words
Breastfeeding; Maternal and child health; Cohort studies