Factors associated with early weaning and spatial pattern of breastfeeding in territory in the Zona da Mata of Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: to assess factors associated with early weaning and the pattern of spatial distribution of breastfeeding in the ascription territory of a Basic Health Unit (BHU). Methods: analytic cross-sectional study performed with 47 mothers of children under 2 years of age in a BHU from Vitória de Santo Antão, Pernambuco. The association of independent variables and early weaning was verified using bivariate and multivariate analysis. For spatial analysis of cases of breastfeeding, we applied Kernel density estimation, proximity analysis buffers of the addresses of participants to the Health Unit and flow map. Results: the prevalence of early weaning was 61.7% (CI95% = 47.8-75.6). Factors associated with early weaning were: distance of residence to the BHU higher than 500 meters, not being primiparous, non-participation in educational groups for pregnant women during prenatal period and use of nursing bottles. Being beneficiary of welfare program Bolsa Família and residing in a home with piped water constituted a protective factor for this outcome. Two clusters of early weaning cases were found in locations further away from the BHUs. Conclusions: there was high prevalence of early weaning and association of this outcome with the home-health unit displacement, being primiparous, non-participation of pregnant women in educational activities during prenatal period and use of nursing bottles.