Maternity leave and exclusive breastfeeding.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between maternity leave and exclusive breastfeeding and to estimate the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in children under six months of life. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, with mothers of children under six months of life, attended in primary health care units with Breast Milk Collection Services in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2013 (n = 429). We analyzed characteristics concerning: maternal sociodemographic aspects, household, prenatal care, childbirth, maternal lifestyle, the child, health care, and infant feeding. Adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) were obtained by Poisson regression with robust variance according to hierarchical approach, and we kept in the final model variables that were associated (p ≤ 0.05) with exclusive breastfeeding (outcome). RESULTS: Among the interviewed mothers, 23.1% were on maternity leave and 17.2% were working. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 50.1%. The maternal work with maternity leave was associated with higher prevalence of the outcome (APR = 1.91; 95%CI 1.32-2.78), compared with mothers who worked without maternity leave. CONCLUSIONS: Maternity leave has contributed to the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for children under six months of life, which indicates the importance of this benefit in protecting exclusive breastfeeding for women inserted in the formal labor market.

Maternity leave and exclusive breastfeeding / Licença-maternidade e aleitamento materno exclusivo

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between maternity leave and exclusive breastfeeding and to estimate the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in children under six months of life. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, with mothers of children under six months of life, attended in primary health care units with Breast Milk Collection Services in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2013 (n = 429). We analyzed characteristics concerning: maternal sociodemographic aspects, household, prenatal care, childbirth, maternal lifestyle, the child, health care, and infant feeding. Adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) were obtained by Poisson regression with robust variance according to hierarchical approach, and we kept in the final model variables that were associated (p ≤ 0.05) with exclusive breastfeeding (outcome). RESULTS: Among the interviewed mothers, 23.1% were on maternity leave and 17.2% were working. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 50.1%. The maternal work with maternity leave was associated with higher prevalence of the outcome (APR = 1.91; 95%CI 1.32-2.78), compared with mothers who worked without maternity leave. CONCLUSIONS: Maternity leave has contributed to the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for children under six months of life, which indicates the importance of this benefit in protecting exclusive breastfeeding for women inserted in the formal labor market.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação entre a licença-maternidade e o aleitamento materno exclusivo e estimar a prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo em crianças menores de seis meses de vida. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, com mães de crianças menores de seis meses, assistidas por unidades básicas de saúde com Posto de Recolhimento de Leite Humano Ordenhado no município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, em 2013 (n = 429). Foram analisadas características sociodemográficas maternas, domiciliares, da assistência pré-natal, do parto, do estilo de vida materno, da criança, da assistência à saúde e da alimentação infantil. Razões de prevalências ajustadas foram obtidas por regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, segundo abordagem hierarquizada, sendo mantidas no modelo final as variáveis que se associaram (p ≤ 0,05) ao aleitamento materno exclusivo (desfecho). RESULTADOS: Entre as mães entrevistadas, 23,1% estavam em licença-maternidade e 17,2% estavam trabalhando. A prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo em menores de seis meses foi de 50,1%. O trabalho materno com licença-maternidade esteve associado a uma maior prevalência do desfecho (RPa = 1,91; IC95% 1,32-2,78), comparado às mães que trabalhavam sem licença-maternidade. CONCLUSÕES: A licença-maternidade contribuiu para a prática do aleitamento materno exclusivo em crianças menores de seis meses de vida, o que indica a importância desse benefício na proteção do aleitamento materno exclusivo para as mulheres inseridas no mercado de trabalho formal.

Influence of Maternity Leave on Exclusive Breastfeeding: Analysis from Two Surveys Conducted in the Federal District of Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Since the 1980s, Brazil has implemented several initiatives to support breastfeeding. Maternity leave, paid in full for 16 weeks, has been available since 1988. However, few studies in Brazil have analyzed the impacts of maternity leave on breastfeeding using population-based indicators. RESEARCH AIM: The aim was to analyze the association between maternity leave and exclusive breastfeeding interruption in children younger than 4 months residing in the Federal District of Brazil, in 2008 and 2014. METHODS: Data from two surveys were used: the 2008 Second National Survey on Prevalence of Breastfeeding and the 2014 Monitoring of Infant Feeding Practices. The sample included 1,742 mothers with children younger than 4 months residing in the Federal District and using the Public Unified Health System. The main independent variable was the mother being on maternity leave and the outcome was interruption of exclusive breastfeeding. Multiple analyses were performed to test the association between maternity leave and the risk of interrupting exclusive breastfeeding, adjusting for socioeconomic, demographic, and biomedical characteristics. RESULTS: In 2008 and 2014, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 60% and 71.4% and prevalence of maternity leave was 27% and 41%, respectively. The lack of maternity leave was strongly associated with interruption of exclusive breastfeeding in 2008 (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.12, 2.82]) and in 2014 (PR = 3.95, 95% CI [1.88, 8.31]) after adjusting for confounding variables. CONCLUSION: Not being on maternity leave was strongly associated with the interruption of exclusive breastfeeding among employed women residing in the Federal District.

Maternity Leave and Its Impact on Breastfeeding: A Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is known to be the best source of nutrition for infants. The World Health Organization recommends to exclusively breastfeed up to the sixth month of life and to breastfeed with complementary foods until the age of 2. It is reported that maternity leave (ML) is one of the most important interventions for an extended breastfeeding duration. The aim of this review is to synthesize the available data worldwide on the association of ML and breastfeeding duration. We also intend to provide an overview of whether this association is differential by socioeconomic status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant primary studies relating ML and breastfeeding were included by searching several databases, including PubMed, SCielo, Health Systems Evidence, Health Evidence, Cochrane Reviews, and Epistemonikos. Articles were included up to May 2018. RESULTS: A total of 239 relevant articles were identified, of them 21 were included in the review based on exposure, outcome, and study design. These studies reported that an extended ML might be related to breastfeeding duration. In addition, studies reporting data on work type, race, and education showed that black women, women in less privileged position, and women with less education have less breastfeeding duration. CONCLUSIONS: This review showed a positive relationship between ML length and breastfeeding duration. These results have a homogeneous trend; however, this was different when studies reported results on ML and breastfeeding stratified by socioeconomic status. Public health policies should ensure that all women, especially the most vulnerable, have equal access to the benefits that ML provides.

Influence of maternity leave on exclusive breastfeeding / Influência da licença-maternidade sobre a amamentação exclusiva

Abstract Objectives: To describe the profile of women with children aged under 4 months living in the Brazilian state capitals and in the Federal District according to their working status and to analyze the influence of maternity leave on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among working women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with data extracted from the II National Maternal Breastfeeding Prevalence Survey carried out in 2008. Initially, a descriptive analysis of the profile of 12,794 women was performed, according to their working status and maternity leave and the frequency of maternity leave in the Brazilian regions and capitals. The study used a multiple model to identify the influence of maternity leave on EBF interruption, including 3766 women who declared they were working and were on maternity leave at the time of the interview. The outcome assessed in the study was the interruption of the EBF, classified by the WHO. Results: Regarding the working status of the mothers, 63.4% did not work outside of their homes and among those who worked, 69.8% were on maternity leave. The largest prevalence among workers was of women older than 35 years of age, with more than 12 years of schooling, primiparous and from the Southeast and South regions. The lack of maternity leave increased by 23% the chance of EBF interruption. Conclusion: Maternity leave contributed to increase the prevalence of EBF in the Brazilian states capitals, supporting the importance of increasing the maternity leave period from four to six months.

Resumo Objetivos: Descrever perfil das mulheres com filhos menores de quatro meses residentes nas capitais brasileiras e no Distrito Federal segundo situação de trabalho e analisar a influência da licença-maternidade sobre o aleitamento materno exclusivo entre as mulheres trabalhadoras. Métodos: Estudo transversal com dados extraídos da II Pesquisa Nacional de Prevalência do Aleitamento Materno feita em 2008. Inicialmente foi feita análise descritiva do perfil das 12.794 mulheres participantes do estudo segundo situação de trabalho e de licença-maternidade, bem como a frequência de licença-maternidade nas regiões brasileiras e capitais. Em seguida, para identificar a influência da licença-maternidade na interrupção do AME, fez-se modelo múltiplo, no qual foram incluídas 3.766 mulheres que declararam trabalhar e estar em licença-maternidade no momento da entrevista. O desfecho adotado no estudo foi a interrupção do AME, classificado de acordo com a definição da OMS. Resultados: Em relação à situação de trabalho, 63,4% das mães entrevistadas no Brasil não trabalhavam fora do lar e dentre as que trabalhavam fora 69,8% usufruíam da licença-maternidade. Verificou-se maior concentração de mulheres que trabalhavam fora entre aquelas com mais de 35 anos, mais de 12 anos de escolaridade, primíparas, das regiões Sudeste e Sul. Não estar em licença-maternidade aumentou em 23% a chance de interrupção do AME. Conclusão: Constatou-se que a licença-maternidade contribuiu para aumentar a prevalência do AME nas capitais brasileiras, reforça a importância da ampliação da licença-maternidade para seis meses.

Influence of maternity leave on exclusive breastfeeding.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the profile of women with children aged under 4 months living in the Brazilian state capitals and in the Federal District according to their working status and to analyze the influence of maternity leave on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among working women. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with data extracted from the II National Maternal Breastfeeding Prevalence Survey carried out in 2008. Initially, a descriptive analysis of the profile of 12,794 women was performed, according to their working status and maternity leave and the frequency of maternity leave in the Brazilian regions and capitals. The study used a multiple model to identify the influence of maternity leave on EBF interruption, including 3766 women who declared they were working and were on maternity leave at the time of the interview. The outcome assessed in the study was the interruption of the EBF, classified by the WHO. RESULTS: Regarding the working status of the mothers, 63.4% did not work outside of their homes and among those who worked, 69.8% were on maternity leave. The largest prevalence among workers was of women older than 35 years of age, with more than 12 years of schooling, primiparous and from the Southeast and South regions. The lack of maternity leave increased by 23% the chance of EBF interruption. CONCLUSION: Maternity leave contributed to increase the prevalence of EBF in the Brazilian states capitals, supporting the importance of increasing the maternity leave period from four to six months.

Custos da ampliação da licença-paternidade no Brasil / Costs of the extension of the paternity leave in Brazil / Los costos de la ampliación del permiso de paternidad en Brasil

Resumo Há uma crescente literatura empírica documentando que educação e cuidado parental de qualidade estão associados com um melhor desenvolvimento emocional e cognitivo da criança. Diante disso, governos de vários países vêm promovendo mudanças nas suas leis trabalhistas, com o objetivo de dar suporte financeiro e legal (proteção do emprego) para as mães e também os pais com crianças recém-nascidas. O Brasil aprovou recentemente o Marco Legal da Primeira Infância (Lei n. 13.257/2016), que ampliou a licença-paternidade de 5 para 20 dias. Pouco se sabe, entretanto, sobre o impacto econômico desse tipo de política pública. O presente trabalho procura quantificar os custos intertemporais do custo econômico direto da extensão da licença-paternidade para o Brasil. Para isso utilizam-se microdados da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios, indicadores do mercado de trabalho brasileiro e uma série de projeções populacionais para construir cenários estáticos para estimativas da probabilidade de os pais solicitarem o uso da licença. Os resultados indicam que a extensão da licença-paternidade para 20 dias tem baixo custo – cerca de R$ 100 milhões por ano no cenário mais provável, o que representa 0,01% da arrecadação federal em 2014. Conquanto a magnitude dos benefícios seja ainda desconhecida no Brasil, os resultados sugerem que esse tipo de intervenção será provavelmente custo-efetiva.

Resumen Existe una creciente documentación en la literatura empírica sobre la asociación entre la educación de calidad y el cuidado de los padres con un mejor desarrollo emocional y cognitivo de los niños. Por lo tanto, los gobiernos de varios países promueven cambios en sus leyes laborales destinadas al apoyo financiero y legal (protección del empleo) para madres y padres con hijos recién nacidos. Brasil aprobó recientemente el Marco da Primeira Infância (Ley 13.257/2016) que amplió el permiso parental de cinco a veinte días. Sin embargo, poco se sabe sobre el impacto económico de este tipo de política pública. Este artículo pretende cuantificar los costos de la extensión temporal del permiso de paternidad. A partir de datos de la Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicilios, de indicadores del mercado de trabajo y de las proyecciones de población, se estimó el costo de la extensión del permiso. Los resultados indican que el costo de esta ampliación de la licencia es bajo —cerca de R$ 100 millones por año en el escenario más probable, lo que representa 0,01% de los ingresos federales en 2014—. Aunque la magnitud de los beneficios de este tipo de intervención sea desconocida en Brasil, los resultados muestran que es probable que sea costo-efectiva.

Abstract There is a growing empirical literature documenting that quality in early education and parental care are associated with better emotional and cognitive development later in life. With this in mind, governments in several countries have changed labor laws in order to give more employment security for parents of the newborns aiming to give financial and legal support (employment protection). A law recently passed in Brazil has increased paternity leave from 5 to 20 working days of paid leave (Marco da Primeira Infância, Law 13.257/2016). Little is known, however, about the economic impacts of such a law. This paper aims at quantifying the costs of such increase in paternity leave. By utilizing the annual household survey microdata (Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios), some labor market indicators and a population projections series it is calculated fathers’ probability of claiming paternity benefits. Several long-range forecasts about the costs implementation produced. The results indicates that the increase in paid paternity leave, due to this change in the law, has relatively low cost – around 100 million Brazilian reais per year in the most likely scenario, an amount that is 0.01% of federal revenues in 2014. While the benefits of increasing paid paternity leave are still unknown in Brazil, the results suggest that this kind of intervention is likely to be cost-effective.

[Sick leaves motivated by severe diseases of children of less than one year of age]. / Evolución de las licencias por enfermedad grave del niño(a) menor de un año 2004-2008: certezas e interrogantes.

BACKGROUND: The increase in expenses of the health care system caused by sick leaves, especially those granted to mothers with children of less than one year of age with severe diseases, is a topic of concern. AIM: To describe the rates of sick leaves granted to mothers with children of less than one year of age with severe diseases from 2004 to 2008. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of databases containing information about sick leaves coming from Chilean public and private health care subsystems. Leaves granted to mothers with sick children of less than one year were specifically analyzed in terms of days off work and the amount of monetary benefits. RESULTS: A sustained increase, ranging from 20 to 120% in the number of sick leaves motivated by diseases of children of less than one year, was observed. Thirty four percent of maternity leaves concentrate immediately after finishing the legal period (24 weeks after birth) and almost 60% of them occured within the first 6 months after birth. The most frequent diagnoses that motivated the higher number of leaves were gas-troesophageal reflux and bronchitis. CONCLUSIONS: There is probably a bad use of the benefit in a percentage of leaves. The benefit is also regressive since it favors mostly mothers of a better socioeconomic condition. The law that will extend the postnatal maternity leave will solve in part these problems.

Evolución de las licencias por enfermedad grave del niño(a) menor de un año 2004-2008: certezas e interrogantes / Sick leaves motivated by severe diseases of children of less than one year of age

Background: The increase in expenses of the health care system caused by sick leaves, especially those granted to mothers with children of less than one year of age with severe diseases, is a topic of concern. Aim: To describe the rates of sick leaves granted to mothers with children of less than one year of age with severe diseases from 2004 to 2008. Material and Methods: Analysis of databases containing information about sick leaves coming from Chilean public and private health care subsystems. Leaves granted to mothers with sick children of less than one year were specifically analyzed in terms of days off work and the amount of monetary benefits. Results: A sustained increase, ranging from 20 to 120% in the number of sick leaves motivated by diseases of children of less than one year, was observed. Thirty four percent of maternity leaves concentrate immediately after finishing the legal period (24 weeks after birth) and almost 60% of them occured within the first 6 months after birth. The most frequent diagnoses that motivated the higher number of leaves were gas-troesophageal reflux and bronchitis. Conclusions: There is probably a bad use of the benefit in a percentage of leaves. The benefit is also regressive since it favors mostly mothers of a better socioeconomic condition. The law that will extend the postnatal maternity leave will solve in part these problems.

Maternity leave: existing policies in obstetrics and gynecology residency programs.

OBJECTIVE: To survey program directors in obstetrics and gynecology regarding maternity leave and to determine how programs are dealing with maternity leave coverage. METHODS: Questionnaires regarding impact and policy on maternity leave were mailed to accredited obstetrics and gynecology residency programs. RESULTS: A total of 188 of 274 (69%) questionnaires were returned completed. Respectively, 80% and 69% of respondents indicated that they have a formal maternity (maximum mean 8.7 weeks) and paternity (mean 5.27 days) leave policy. Approximately 75% of programs require residents to make up time if their leave exceeds 8 weeks during the first 3 years. Eighty-five percent of programs require residents to make up time if their leave exceeds 6 weeks during the fourth year. Ninety-three percent of programs require residents to make up time if their leave exceeds 20 weeks over the 4 years. Seventy-seven percent of respondents have other residents in their program cover for the absent resident. Thirty-seven percent of programs have schedules flexible enough to allow rearrangement so that some rotations go uncovered. Eighty-three percent of programs surveyed stated that maternity leave has a somewhat to very significant impact on the residents' schedules. CONCLUSION: Most residency programs have written maternity/paternity leave policies. A more flexible curriculum may help to accommodate the residents on leave without overburdening the residents who are left to cover.

Community impact of childhood varicella infections.

OBJECTIVES: To assess age-specific incidence rates, health care utilization, and lost parental work associated with varicella infection in a population-based cohort of children, and to validate parent-reported health care utilization data. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a telephone survey of a population-based cohort of 4557 households with children aged birth to 13 years. Medical chart abstraction was used to validate health care utilization information. RESULTS: We report varicella incidence rates in preschool children that are 2 to 2.5 times higher than previous studies. Rates of varicella-related serious complications, hospitalizations, parental work leave, and medication use are comparable with rates reported elsewhere. However, health provider visits occurred only 0.3 to 0.5 times as frequently as estimated in other studies. One hundred percent of reported hospitalizations and serious complications and 92% of provider visits were validated to be within the study time frame through medical chart audits. CONCLUSIONS: Parents are an accurate source of varicella-related health care utilization data. Parent-reported incidence data indicate that varicella infections are increasing in preschool children. This shift to infections in younger children may be related to the increased use of out-of-home care for infants and young children. Furthermore, the shift may after the community burden of varicella because of the observed increased parental work loss and decreased frequency of health care visits in the preschool children.