Breastfeeding at the Southern Metropolitan Health Service

Abstract

Background: In the last decade, several programs have promoted breastfeeding and different approaches have been proposed to evaluate results. 

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of breastfeeding and its evolution between 1993 and 1999 in infants under 12 months who attended to the urban health care services of the Southern Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS).

Material and Methods: Prevalence Survey in 519 infants under 12 months and under control in 8 health care services of the SMHS and comparison with previous surveys (1993 and 1996). Analysis of food data from regular registries (RMC) between 1994 and 1999. 

Results: According to the survey, 47% of infants had exclusive breastfeeding (EB), 10% had predominant breastfeeding and 9,2% had supplemented breastfeeding. More than 80% had some kind of breastfeeding in the first semester and 50% of the EB to the six month. According to RMC, EB to the six month showed an steady increase between 1994 and 1995 but afterwards it declined slightly. According to surveys, tendency was similar but in the first month an increase was observed in 1999. 

Conclusions: The positive tendency of breastfeeding would have stabilized in recent years. Actions on training need to be reinforced for health staff. The prevalence surveys represent a good alternative to evaluate tendencies.