The breastfeeding practice at a northeast Brazilian state

The World Health Organization, the United Nations Fund for Children and the Ministry of Health recommended that children should be breastfed exclusively for 180 days, and on a complementary basis up to two years of age or older. In 1981 the Brazilian government was created by the National Promotional Program of the Breastfeeding for the public awareness on the importance of breastfeeding, serving as a subsidy to reduce the infant mortality rate. More recent studies shows that the interruption of exclusive breastfeeding at the age of six months is inadequate and represents risk to the health and well being of these infants, being necessary to consider the relationship between early weaning and some socioeconomic factors. This paper aims to study the practice of breastfeeding at a state of northeastern, characterizing the population under study, from socio-economic indicators and welfare. It is a descriptive study, conducted from June to December 2007 where the sample was processed by conglomerates which ensured a representative sample for the state. It was conducted in 28 municipalities in the, with 1711 children from zero to five years. It was observed that the majority (56.63%) of the children belonged to families of low income, 92.5% were born in a hospital, 56% were assisted by doctors and 49% did not carry out consultations in the 1st month of life. About 40% of children have remained in exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life and more than 70% were weaned to a year of life. This situation can be found determinant of serious health problems of children studied, emphasizing that the Maranhão presents some of the worst indicators of quality of life, with particular emphasis on infant mortality (35.2/1000 live births) which is remain above the national average (22.5/1000 live births).