Conocimientos y prácticas sobre lactancia materna y factores asociados en mujeres en período de lactancia en el área urbana de Cuenca, 2014

Abstract

Objective: To determine the knowledge and practices regarding maternal lactation and other related factors found in women during the lactation period in the urban area of Cuenca, 2014. Method and Materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban health centers and sub centers of the Ministry of Public Health of Cuenca. A sample calculation of the percentage of women with a lack of knowledge in maternal lactation (19.9 %) obtained through previous studies, was generated, providing a total of 681 women. Questionnaires were used to collect the data and were entered and analyzed in 15 SPSS. Results: The average age group was 26.3 years (DS ±6.52). The level of knowledge regarding lactation was found to be 52.7% which was normal. Majority of women properly practice lactation (62.7%). There was a positive correlation between the proper knowledge of lactation and the support of the partner (p 0.0053) and negatively correlated with the start of maternal activity before three months postpartum (p 0.0007). Proper practices of lactations were negatively associated with single mothers (p 0.012) and positively associated with the support of the partner (p 0.0285), the start of maternal activity before three months postpartum (p 0.0284) and without receiving any information about lactation (p 0.0155). Conclusion: The support of the partner is associated with adequate knowledge and practice of lactation, whereas women who are single tend to have a negative influence on the knowledge and practice of lactation