Prevalence and factors associated with no intention to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life

Abstract Objective: To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with no intention to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life in a sample of women in the first 24 h postpartum during the hospital stay. Methods: Cross-sectional study with data from screening phase of a birth cohort. The proportion of mothers who did not intend to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months (primary outcome) derived from a negative response to the question "Would you be willing to try to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months?", in an interview conducted by previously trained interviewers. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals were obtained by Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: A total of 2964 postpartum women were interviewed. The overall prevalence of mothers who did not intend to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months was 17.8% (16.4-19.1%). After adjusting for maternal age and type of pregnancy (singleton or multiple), no intention to exclusively breastfeed was higher in mothers with a monthly household income < 3 minimum wages (PR, 1.64; 1.35-1.98) and in those who intended to smoke 4-7 days/week after delivery (PR, 1.42; 1.11-1.83). The presence of significant newborn morbidity (PR, 0.32; 0.19-0.54) and intention to breastfeed up to 12 months (PR, 0.46; 0.38-0.55) had a protective effect against not intending to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. Conclusions: Approximately 1 in every 5 mothers did not intend to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. Strategies aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding should focus attention on mothers from lower economic strata and smokers.

Prevalence and factors associated with no intention to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with no intention to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life in a sample of women in the first 24 h postpartum during the hospital stay. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with data from screening phase of a birth cohort. The proportion of mothers who did not intend to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months (primary outcome) derived from a negative response to the question "Would you be willing to try to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months?", in an interview conducted by previously trained interviewers. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals were obtained by Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS: A total of 2964 postpartum women were interviewed. The overall prevalence of mothers who did not intend to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months was 17.8% (16.4-19.1%). After adjusting for maternal age and type of pregnancy (singleton or multiple), no intention to exclusively breastfeed was higher in mothers with a monthly household income < 3 minimum wages (PR, 1.64; 1.35-1.98) and in those who intended to smoke 4-7 days/week after delivery (PR, 1.42; 1.11-1.83). The presence of significant newborn morbidity (PR, 0.32; 0.19-0.54) and intention to breastfeed up to 12 months (PR, 0.46; 0.38-0.55) had a protective effect against not intending to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 1 in every 5 mothers did not intend to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. Strategies aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding should focus attention on mothers from lower economic strata and smokers.

Epidemiology of domestic cat behavioral problems in the city of Porto Alegre/Brazil: a survey of small animal veterinary practitioners / Epidemiologia de problemas comportamentais de gatos domésticos no município de Porto Alegre: inquérito entre médicos veterinários de pequenos animais

ABSTRACT: The popularity of cats as a companion animal has been growing. Additionally, there is also an increase in the number of complaints regarding behavioral problems associated with the species. Behavioral problems interfere with the animal welfare and quality of people's lives that are living with them, and are one of the main reasons for abandonment and euthanasia in some countries. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of behavioral problems among cats with the help of veterinary practitioners in the city of Porto Alegre/Brazil. This evaluation was performed through a questionnaire in veterinary clinics and hospitals of small animals, which was answered by veterinarians responsible for clinical care. The study showed that most veterinarians (92.0%) have been sought to assist with behavioral problems and that dogs were the most consulted species (72.0%). Regarding cats, scratching was the most common owners' complaints (40.0%), followed by aggressiveness (39.0%), and inappropriate elimination of urine (38.0%). Aggression (73.8%) and scratching (56.9%) were the most frequent reasons that may lead to the abandonment or euthanasia of cats. Results of this research highlighted the importance of having a better understanding about the normal behavior of cats, and the fundamental role of the veterinarian in preventing behavioral problems and abandonment of these animals.

RESUMO: A popularidade do gato como animal de companhia vem crescendo, e junto com esse crescente número de gatos, crescem também as queixas de problemas comportamentais dessa espécie. Os problemas de comportamento comprometem o bem-estar dos animais e a qualidade de vida das pessoas que com eles convivem, sendo uma das principais causas de abandono e eutanásia de gatos em alguns países. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a prevalência dos problemas comportamentais em gatos atendidos pelos médicos veterinários no município de Porto Alegre, RS. Essa avaliação foi feita através de um questionário aplicado em consultórios, clínicas e hospitais veterinários de pequenos animais, para serem respondidos pelos médicos veterinários responsáveis pelo atendimento clínico. Dos 100 questionários respondidos pelos médicos veterinários, 92,0% afirmam que são consultados sobre problemas de comportamento e 72,0% responderam que o cão era a espécie mais consultada. No que se refere aos problemas comportamentais específicos dos gatos, a arranhadura foi a queixa comportamental mais comum citada pelos médicos veterinários (40,0%), seguida de agressividade (39,0%) e eliminação inapropriada com urina (38,0%). A agressividade (73,8%) e a arranhadura (56,9%) foram citadas como as mais frequentes razões que podem levar ao abandono ou eutanásia dos gatos. Os resultados dessa pesquisa destacam a importância de haver maior conhecimento sobre o comportamento normal do gato, e o papel fundamental do médico veterinário clinico na prevenção de problemas comportamentais e no abandono desses animais.