4.7 Article

Breastfeeding Practices and Determinant Factors of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers of Children Aged 0-23 Months in Northwestern Romania

Journal

NUTRIENTS
Volume 13, Issue 11, Pages -

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/nu13113998

Keywords

breastfeeding practices; exclusive breastfeeding; determinants; Romania

Funding

  1. Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie en Europe Centrale et Orientale, Project Reseau Sante Instruction Nutrition (SaIN) [2017-2019]

Ask authors/readers for more resources

This study investigated breastfeeding practices in northwestern Romania and found that almost all mothers breastfed their children at least once, with an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 46.7%. Improving rates in all breastfeeding practices suggest the need for continued efforts to develop effective national policies and programs to promote breastfeeding in Romania.
In terms of breastfeeding (BF) practices in Romania, there is a lack of up-to-date data. The aim of the present study was to assess current BF practices, and to investigate the factors associated with exclusive BF (EBF) under 6 months of age in northwestern Romania. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data among 1399 mothers of children aged 0-23 months, recruited between March and June 2019, from the community. BF practices were evaluated based on the World Health Organization indicators for assessing infant and young child feeding practices, whereas determinants of EBF were explored using logistic regression models. Almost all mothers (95.7%) breastfed their child at least once. The EBF rate was 46.7%, the continued BF rate at one year of age was 54.2%, and the continued BF rate at 2 years of age was 30.3%. The place of delivery and parental leave duration were strong determinants of EBF. The improving rates observed in this study for all the BF practices assessed suggest the continuation of efforts to develop effective national policies and programs for promoting, protecting, and supporting BF in Romania. Particular emphasis should be given to the creation in maternity hospitals of an environment that is supportive towards breastfeeding.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.7
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

No Data Available
No Data Available