Henry Espinoza1. 1. Population Council, Oficina Regional para América Latina y El Caribe. hespinoza@popcouncil.org.mx
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between family structure and the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in Nicaragua. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A subset of the Nicaraguan Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 1998 was obtained by selecting all last-born infants less than 4 months old at the time of the survey. Weighted chi-squared and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association. RESULTS: Interviewee women heads of household and interviewee women whose husbands were the heads of the household had a significantly lower prevalence of EBF. Exposure to the health care system was not related to EBF. CONCLUSIONS: New approaches are needed to promote that men support women's decisions to breastfeed. Health institutions should effectively communicate the benefits of breastfeeding on both the mother and the child.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between family structure and the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in Nicaragua. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A subset of the Nicaraguan Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 1998 was obtained by selecting all last-born infants less than 4 months old at the time of the survey. Weighted chi-squared and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association. RESULTS: Interviewee women heads of household and interviewee women whose husbands were the heads of the household had a significantly lower prevalence of EBF. Exposure to the health care system was not related to EBF. CONCLUSIONS: New approaches are needed to promote that men support women's decisions to breastfeed. Health institutions should effectively communicate the benefits of breastfeeding on both the mother and the child.