Factores asociados al abandono de la lactancia materna exclusiva en mujeres de 18 a 35 años de edad, del IESS Centro Materno Infantil y Emergencias, Cuenca 2022

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is very important because it provides different nutrients and decreases the risk of producing respiratory, gastrointestinal, and in the long term diseases such as obesity and diabetes. According to Duque P, 14% of mothers do not breastfeed their children during the first six months of life, this may be due to health problems of the child and the mother. Objectives: To determine the factors associated with the abandonment of exclusive breastfeeding in women from 18 to 35 years of age at the IESS Centro Materno Infantil y Emergencias, March-August 2022. Methods: Observational-analytical and cross-sectional design, where the factors associated with the abandonment of EBF were analyzed through the application of a structured questionnaire of 19 items. Results: The factors influencing the abandonment of EBF were known among them were the majority residents of the rural area (32.8%), occupation (42.9%), marital status (22.7%), level of secondary education completed (30.8%), type of delivery by cesarean section (30.3%), information before or after delivery about breastfeeding (30.8%), the reason for abandoning breastfeeding, which were: sore nipples (20.2%), low milk (27.8%), maternal illness (UTI, respiratory problems). Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding abandonment was 56.1%. Therefore, more educational strategies on breastfeeding by health professionals are required.