Prevalence and determinants of breast-feeding among mothers of infants two-three months old attending child health clinics at two health centres in Kingston and St. Andrew and two in St. Ann, Jamaica

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding has remained below targets established by the Ministry of Health of Jamaica. This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence and determinants of breast feeding among mothers of infants two to three months of age attending child health clinics at two health centres in Kingston and St. Andrew and two in St. Ann. A total of 95 mothers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Two focus grop discussion were also conducted. Data from the questionnaire were analyzed in Epi-info version 6.03. The pevalence of breast-feeding was found to be high (90.5 percent) while that of exclusive breast-feeding was low (8.4 percent). Younger women were less likely to breast-feed exclusively. There was no significant association between parity, employment or marital status and exclusive breast-feeding. Among the other factors examined, failure to get help to solve breast-feeding problems was the only one found to be significantly associated with cessation of breast-feeding (Fisher's exact test, two tailed p=0.0095). The role of education, and various types of support for mothers, were idenfified among factors which would facilitate exclusive breast-feeding for at least four months. Further studies are required to determine the relationship between employment status of mothers and exclusive breast-feeding. Education programmes should aim to improve attitudes of mothers, should target young mothers and play keen attention to changes in the socio-economic environment (AU)