IDENTIFICATION OF RISK-FACTORS FOR SHORT BREAST-FEEDING DURATION IN MEXICO-CITY THROUGH SURVIVAL ANALYSIS

The objectives of these analyses are to identify in Mexico City recent : a) infant feeding policies in maternity wards, b) infant feeding pat terns, and c) socioeconomic, cultural, behavioral and biomedical deter minants of breastfeeding. Subjects (n = 518) were recruited in two lar ge public hospitals and followed-up in their homes at one and four mon ths post-partum (pp). Breastfeeding rates at four months ranged from 4 9% to 60%. The main reason given for stopping breastfeeding was insuff icient milk. Multivariate survival analyses showed that delivery in a nursery (vs. rooming-in) ward, maternal employment, having a refrigera tor in the household, being a teenaged mother and low maternal motivat ion for breastfeeding were risk factors for shorter breastfeeding dura tion. These results may be useful for improving breastfeeding promotio n policies in Mexico.