Determinants of breastfeeding in the Philippines: a survival analysis

This study examines modern and traditional factors that may lengthen or sho rten the duration of breastfeeding. Specifically, health sector, socio-econ omic, demographic, and supplementary food variables are analysed among a la rge representative sample of women in the Philippines. It is proposed that while modernisation can lead to the adoption of western behaviours, traditi onal cultural values can also prevail, resulting in the rejection of certai n aspects of modernity. The Cox Proportional Hazards model is employed for the analysis of breastfeeding. The results show that traditional factors as sociated with breastfeeding (use of solid foods such as porridge and apples auce, and prenatal care by a traditional nurse/midwife) do not play a signi ficant role in the mother's decision to continue breastfeeding. Factors ass ociated with modernity are significant in explaining early termination of b reastfeeding (respondent's education, prenatal care by a medical doctor, de livery in a hospital and use of infant formula). The findings of this study suggest that health institutions and medical professionals can play a sign ificant role in promoting breastfeeding in the Philippines; and educational campaigns that stress the benefits of lactation are important strategies f or encouraging mothers to breastfeed longer. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.