[Evaluation of the effects of a support campaign on exclusive breast feeding at 1 month]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a support campaign on exclusive breast-feeding at one month postpartum among women having chosen breast-feeding. The study population consisted of all women (n = 657) having delivered in the Maternity Hospital in Pertuis (Area of Vaucluse-France) between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 1988. The first 151 women belonged to the control group not submitted to interventions while the following 506 composed the groups submitted to interventions. Interventions mainly aimed at providing information to women, supporting them after delivery, raising the awareness of their environment and educating Health professionals. Mothers were interviewed at the maternity and at their home one month later. Results showed that interventions significantly increased the number of women breast-feeding at one month (66% vs 52%-p less than 0.01) and reduced physical and medical problems related to breast-feeding (51% vs 60%-NS). To resolve these problems, Health professional education particularly appeared efficacious. The mothers' planned duration of breast-feeding was not significantly changed showing that actions were well conducted, as we wished, in the sense that the choice of mothers was respected. The greatest benefit was seen among the lowest social class (p less than 0.05), the less educated (p less than 0.01), and Maghrebin women (p less than 0.01).