Prevalence and Predictors of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers with Term Deliveries in Adventist Medical Center Manila (AMCM) Immediately Postpartum and at One Month Postpartum

Breastfeeding is one among the foremost effective ways to make sure child health and survival. However, nearly 2 out of three infants aren't exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months—a rate that has not improved in 2 decades. Breastmilk is that the ideal food for infants. it's safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the primary months of life, and it continues to supply up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the last half of the primary year, and up to at least one third during the second year of life. Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and fewer susceptible to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed even have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Exclusive breastfeeding means a baby is fed only breast milk for the primary six months of its life, with no additional food or drinks. this is often the simplest nourishment for a baby and such babies aren't even given water. The importance of exclusive breastfeeding can never be understated. For a start, exclusive breastfeeding minimizes the risks of infections and diseases, furthermore, it's also considerably beneficial for the mother too. Read on to know the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for a baby and its mother. Exclusive breastfeeding in infants provides an optimal nutrition in infants aged under six months. While the planet Health Organization (WHO) recommends to exclusively breastfeed their infants even up to 2 years, prevalence and duration among different countries are on decline. The aim of this study is to match the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding immediately postpartum and one month postpartum and determine its associated factors and possible predictors at Adventist center Manila (AMCM). a complete of 235 mothers who delivered at AMCM were interviewed employing a questionnaire before discharge and was followed-up via call at one month postpartum. All analyses were administered using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)Version 21. All inferential analyses were performed at 5% level of significance, but the interpretation of the multiple binary logistic multivariate analysis at 10% level of significance and its implications was also considered. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding significantly decreased from 100% immediately postpartum to 74% at 1 month postpartum (p<0.001). Among the possible associated factors, at 10% level of significance, 3 factors may be considered as independent predictors of exclusive breastfeeding at 1 month postpartum namely: previous breastfeeding experience (OR = 3.70, p = 0.080) presence of lactation area at work (OR = 2.08, p = 0.087) and presence of refrigerator at work for breast milk storage (OR = 2.98, p = 0.057).

Author(s):

Juliet Kristine C. Evangelista

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