Factores asociados a la lactancia materna exclusiva

introduction: limited information is available regarding factors contributing to exclusive breastfeeding until the sixth month. this information is needed to design appropriate policy interventions. methods: a survey about socio-demographic characteristics, information received, onset and duration of breastfeeding and causes of weaning was applied. factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months were determined by multivariate logistic regression. results: 256 mothers attending a public sector hospital and 158 mothers attending a private sector hospital responded to the survey. the following factors were higher in the private sector group: education level, primiparity, cesarean sections and work outside the home (p < 0.02). 45.8% of mothers continued exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months, with no difference seen between groups. the main causes of weaning were: maternal decision (27.2%), perceived hunger (24.1%), esthetic factors (17.3%) and child's illness (13.0%). exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months was associated with a previous successful breastfeeding (or 5.4, 95% ci 2.2-13.2), female child (or 5.5 ci 2.5-12.3), lower maternal education (or 5.4 ci 2.4-11.7) and public health system (or 2.1 ci 1.0-4.5). conclusion: weaning is often associated with maternal perceptions rather than objective data. socio-demographic variables influence successful prolonged breastfeeding. better education in health factors and breastfeeding might improve this situation.