Breastfeeding duration: does parity influence? A longitudinal investigation: the pro-saude study
Rebeca N M DA Silva1, Eduardo Faerstein2
1Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Medicina Social Hesio Cordeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, Maracanã, 20550-013 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Anais Da Academia Brasileira De Ciencias
|February 12, 2025
Summary
Parity significantly impacts breastfeeding duration in Brazilian women. Maternal education and income positively influence how long mothers breastfeed their children, highlighting the need for targeted public health policies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Maternal and Child Health
Background:
- Breastfeeding experiences vary between women having their first child (primiparous) and those who have had previous children (multiparous).
- Understanding factors influencing breastfeeding duration is crucial for maternal and child health initiatives.
- Previous research indicates a complex interplay of factors affecting breastfeeding practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of parity on breastfeeding duration among Brazilian women.
- To examine the relationship between the number of siblings and the duration of breastfeeding for each child.
- To identify key demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with breastfeeding duration.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of longitudinal data from the Pró-Saúde Study (1999-2012).
- Statistical tests including chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and analysis of variance were employed.
- Kaplan-Meier plots were used for visualizing survival data, and Cox models analyzed breastfeeding duration.
Main Results:
- Parity was found to influence breastfeeding duration, with differences observed between primiparous and multiparous women.
- Maternal education and household income demonstrated a positive association with longer breastfeeding duration.
- Maternal age and mode of delivery were particularly relevant factors for primiparous mothers.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding duration is influenced by a complex interaction of parity, socioeconomic factors, and demographic characteristics.
- Findings underscore the need for tailored public health policies to support breastfeeding practices.
- Further research is recommended to understand the declining trend in breastfeeding duration observed in recent decades.
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