Exclusive breastfeeding abandonment in adolescent mothers: a cohort study within health primary services
María Isabel Nuñez Hernández1, Maria Luiza Riesco2
1Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Enfermería y Obstetricia, Santiago, Chile.
Insights
Exclusive breastfeeding abandonment is high in adolescent mothers, with most occurring before four months. Maternal perception of low milk quality and pacifier use significantly increase abandonment rates.
Area of Science:
- Maternal and Child Health
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Exclusive breastfeeding is crucial for infant health and development.
- Adolescent mothers represent a vulnerable population facing unique challenges in sustaining exclusive breastfeeding.
- Understanding factors contributing to breastfeeding abandonment is vital for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors associated with the cessation of exclusive breastfeeding among adolescent mothers.
- To analyze these factors within the first six months postpartum.
- To inform strategies for supporting prolonged exclusive breastfeeding in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 105 adolescent mothers followed from birth to six months postpartum.
- Data collected via interviews, analyzing sociodemographic, family, maternal, and child-related variables.
- Bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses, including Hazard Ratio (HR) calculation, were employed.
Main Results:
- Cumulative incidence of exclusive breastfeeding abandonment reached 33.3% by 2 months, 52.2% by 4 months, and 63.8% by 6 months.
- Maternal perception of poor milk quality (HR=11.6) and pacifier use (HR=1.9) were significant predictors of abandonment.
- The timing of the first breastfeeding session also showed an association (HR=1.4).
Conclusions:
- The majority of exclusive breastfeeding abandonment occurs before the infant reaches four months of age.
- Adolescent mothers' perception of inadequate milk quality and the use of pacifiers are key factors driving abandonment.
- Early identification and management of these factors are essential for promoting sustained exclusive breastfeeding.
Objective:
to analyze the factors associated with the abandonment of exclusive breastfeeding in adolescent mothers during the first 6 months of the infant's life.
Method:
this is a cohort study of 105 adolescent mothers followed at the child's 2-, 4- and 6-months of age. The epidemiological approach was adopted, supported by the positivism paradigm. Exposure variables were those directly related to breastfeeding and sociodemographic, family, maternal and child conditions. Data were collected by interview and analyzed by bivariate and multivariate statistics. The Hazard Ratio (HR) was calculated with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI). The tests were performed, admitting an error type I of 5%. The confidentiality of data was ensured.
Results:
the cumulative incidences of exclusive breastfeeding abandonment were 33.3%, 52.2% and 63.8%, at 2, 4 and 6 months, respectively. The variables that remain in the final multivariate model were maternal perception of milk quality (HR=11.6; 95%CI 3.6-37.5), pacifier use (HR=1.9; 95%CI 1.2-3.3), and time of first breastfeeding session (HR=1.4; 95%CI 0.5-12.9).
Conclusion:
the highest abandonment rate occurs before the fourth month. A perception of having poor-quality milk by the adolescent mother and pacifier use are factors that favor the abandonment of exclusive breastfeeding. Determining the factors associated with breastfeeding abandonment may allow their timely management, especially in more vulnerable populations.
Keypoints:
(1) The highest abandonment rate of exclusive breastfeeding occurs before the fourth month. (2) A perception of having poor-quality milk may increase the abandonment of exclusive breastfeeding. (3) Pacifier use may increase the abandonment of exclusive breastfeeding. (4) Knowing the factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding may allow for timely management of them. (5) Exclusive breastfeeding promotion strategies must be adopted early, before and after birth.
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