[Factors associated with breastfeeding duration in three cities in the region of Alto Jequitinhonha, Minas Gerais, Brazil].

The objective of this study was to identify and analyze variables associated with shorter duration of breastfeeding in the Alto Jequitinhonha region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study, using retrospective data, in three cities of the region. All children up to 24 months of age were considered in the study, with a total sample of 450 children. Statistical analyses employed the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model. Three variables were found to be associated with breastfeeding duration. Risk of premature interruption was 1.59 [1.08;2.36] times higher if the father had completed the second grade or greater in school, 1.52 [1.00;2.34] times higher if the father did not live with the child, and 3.07 [2.17;4.34] times higher if child had used a pacifier. Thus, greater education of fathers, use of pacifiers by children, and fathers not living with the children were factors associated with shorter duration of breastfeeding.