Abstract
Abstract
Objective:
This study examined factors related to breastfeeding behavior of mothers in the “Baby-Friendly City” of Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Subjects and Methods:
The study was cross-sectional. The cluster sample technique was used in which 992 mothers from 50 clusters were contacted. Data were collected by face-to-face interview. The breastfeeding behavior of the mothers and the demographic variables affecting such behavior were recorded and collected. Analysis was performed by χ2 test, and logistic regression used to estimate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results:
We found that 78.3% of the mothers breastfed their babies for the first 6 months and that 92.4% gave their babies colostrum. The risk of not giving colostrum increased 2.7-fold (95% CI=1.25–5.75) in mothers giving birth at home compared with those giving birth in a hospital (p=0.011). The same risk increased 3.99-fold (95% CI=2.00–7.93) in mothers with no knowledge of breastfeeding compared with mothers instructed on the subject by health professionals (p<0.0001).
Conclusion:
The breastfeeding behavior on the part of mothers giving birth with the help of healthcare personnel and receiving information on the subject is positive.
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