Promoting breastfeeding through health education at the time of immunizations: a randomized trial from Guinea Bissau

As an intervention against diarrhoea, promotion of breastfeeding has been s uggested by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the present study from Guinea Bissau we tested the possibilities of promoting breastfeeding at a l ocal health centre. A total of 1250 children were allocated randomly into t wo groups. Mothers in the intervention group were given health education ac cording to WHO's recommendations; about exclusive breastfeeding for at leas t the first 4 mo, prolonged breastfeeding and family planning methods. At 4 mo of age introduction of weaning food was delayed in the intervention gro up (risk rate 1.18 (95% CI 1.03-1.38) and more mothers had an IUD inserted (risk rate 2.45 (1.27-4.70). The median length of breastfeeding was 23 mo i n both groups. There was no difference in the number of children weaned ear ly. Although exclusive breastfeeding was promoted by the intervention, earl y weaning of children in special risk groups was not avoided. An evaluation of the impact of the WHO recommendations in different settings is warrante d.