INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL AND MEDICAL FACTORS ON THE DURATION OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING
The rates of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) remain low worldwide, with only 36% of children under six months receiving EBF. Recent research indicates that parents are influenced by numerous social and medical factors that affect their decisions regarding infant feeding. Aim of the study. To analy...
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Bukovynian State Medical University
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Неонатологія, хірургія та перинатальна медицина |
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| Online Access: | https://neonatology.bsmu.edu.ua/article/view/325999 |
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| author | Л. Мельничук А. Дячук О. Макарова |
| author_facet | Л. Мельничук А. Дячук О. Макарова |
| author_sort | Л. Мельничук |
| collection | DOAJ |
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The rates of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) remain low worldwide, with only 36% of children under six months receiving EBF. Recent research indicates that parents are influenced by numerous social and medical factors that affect their decisions regarding infant feeding.
Aim of the study. To analyze the impact of social and medical factors on the success and duration of breastfeeding.
Materials and methods. A survey was conducted among 96 breastfeeding women with varying feeding practices using a Google form. The questionnaire included 24 items covering the woman’s age, social status, adherence to breastfeeding support strategies at different stages of medical care, difficulties with breastfeeding, knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding, the influence of healthcare professionals on feeding decisions, and more. In carrying out scientific work, the basic principles of biomedical research are preserved. Statistical analysis was performed using methods of variation statistics, calculating the mean (M) and standard error of the mean (m). Correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between variables and to assess its strength and direction. The significance of differences between means was evaluated using Student’s t-test.
Results. According to the survey, 66.7% of children were exclusively breastfed for up to six months, which aligns with statistical reports from healthcare facilities in Chernivtsi (69.3%, p > 0.05). The longest duration of breastfeeding was observed among office workers (18.00 ± 2.27 months) and women without permanent employment (15.00 ± 5.09 months), while the shortest duration was among entrepreneurs (11.14 ± 3.83 months). Among age groups, women aged 31–35 years had the longest breastfeeding duration, while women aged 21–30 years had the shortest. Strong positive correlations were found between breastfeeding duration and participation in breastfeeding education sessions (r = 0.69; p < 0.005) as well as the woman’s social group (r = 0.73; p > 0.005). Strong negative correlations were observed between breastfeeding duration and the use of infant formula in the first days (r = -0.62; p < 0.005) as well as difficulties with breastfeeding (r = -0.70; p < 0.005).
Conclusion. A breastfeeding support strategy requires training for healthcare professionals and women during pregnancy, the initial days in maternity hospitals, and subsequent stages of medical care to prevent difficulties and avoid the discontinuation of breastfeeding.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eb70ed42207b4d01bf43b886f342a4b3 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2226-1230 2413-4260 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Bukovynian State Medical University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Неонатологія, хірургія та перинатальна медицина |
| spelling | doaj-art-eb70ed42207b4d01bf43b886f342a4b32025-08-20T02:54:19ZengBukovynian State Medical UniversityНеонатологія, хірургія та перинатальна медицина2226-12302413-42602025-04-01151(55)10.24061/2413-4260.XV.1.55.2025.4INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL AND MEDICAL FACTORS ON THE DURATION OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDINGЛ. Мельничук0А. Дячук1О. Макарова2Bukovinian State Medical University Bukovinian State Medical University Bukovinian State Medical University The rates of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) remain low worldwide, with only 36% of children under six months receiving EBF. Recent research indicates that parents are influenced by numerous social and medical factors that affect their decisions regarding infant feeding. Aim of the study. To analyze the impact of social and medical factors on the success and duration of breastfeeding. Materials and methods. A survey was conducted among 96 breastfeeding women with varying feeding practices using a Google form. The questionnaire included 24 items covering the woman’s age, social status, adherence to breastfeeding support strategies at different stages of medical care, difficulties with breastfeeding, knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding, the influence of healthcare professionals on feeding decisions, and more. In carrying out scientific work, the basic principles of biomedical research are preserved. Statistical analysis was performed using methods of variation statistics, calculating the mean (M) and standard error of the mean (m). Correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between variables and to assess its strength and direction. The significance of differences between means was evaluated using Student’s t-test. Results. According to the survey, 66.7% of children were exclusively breastfed for up to six months, which aligns with statistical reports from healthcare facilities in Chernivtsi (69.3%, p > 0.05). The longest duration of breastfeeding was observed among office workers (18.00 ± 2.27 months) and women without permanent employment (15.00 ± 5.09 months), while the shortest duration was among entrepreneurs (11.14 ± 3.83 months). Among age groups, women aged 31–35 years had the longest breastfeeding duration, while women aged 21–30 years had the shortest. Strong positive correlations were found between breastfeeding duration and participation in breastfeeding education sessions (r = 0.69; p < 0.005) as well as the woman’s social group (r = 0.73; p > 0.005). Strong negative correlations were observed between breastfeeding duration and the use of infant formula in the first days (r = -0.62; p < 0.005) as well as difficulties with breastfeeding (r = -0.70; p < 0.005). Conclusion. A breastfeeding support strategy requires training for healthcare professionals and women during pregnancy, the initial days in maternity hospitals, and subsequent stages of medical care to prevent difficulties and avoid the discontinuation of breastfeeding. https://neonatology.bsmu.edu.ua/article/view/325999Infant; Breastfeeding; Breast Milk Substitutes; Duration of Breastfeeding |
| spellingShingle | Л. Мельничук А. Дячук О. Макарова INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL AND MEDICAL FACTORS ON THE DURATION OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING Неонатологія, хірургія та перинатальна медицина Infant; Breastfeeding; Breast Milk Substitutes; Duration of Breastfeeding |
| title | INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL AND MEDICAL FACTORS ON THE DURATION OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING |
| title_full | INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL AND MEDICAL FACTORS ON THE DURATION OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING |
| title_fullStr | INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL AND MEDICAL FACTORS ON THE DURATION OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING |
| title_full_unstemmed | INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL AND MEDICAL FACTORS ON THE DURATION OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING |
| title_short | INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL AND MEDICAL FACTORS ON THE DURATION OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING |
| title_sort | influence of social and medical factors on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding |
| topic | Infant; Breastfeeding; Breast Milk Substitutes; Duration of Breastfeeding |
| url | https://neonatology.bsmu.edu.ua/article/view/325999 |
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