Mary Economou|Ourania Kolokotroni|Irene Paphiti-Demetriou|Christiana Kouta|Ekaterini Lambrinou|Eleni Hadjigeorgiou|V Hadjiona|F Tryfonos|Elena Philippou|Nicos Middleton
Prevalence of breast-feeding and exclusive breast-feeding at 48 h after birth and up to the sixth month in Cyprus: the BrEaST start in life project
Cyprus University of Technology|University of Nicosia|Cyprus University of Technology|Cyprus University of Technology|Cyprus University of Technology|Cyprus University of Technology|Cyprus University of Technology|University of Nicosia|Cyprus University of Technology
assess prevalence sociodemographic determinants breastfeeding bf exclusive breastfeeding ebf cyprus sixth monthcrosssectional longitudinal descriptive study bf ebf estimated based mothers selfreported bf status line step 7 whounicef babyfriendly hospital initiative questionnaire based 24 h recallmaternity wards public hospitals twentynine thirtyfive private maternity clinics nationwideconsecutive sample 586 mothers recruited within 48 h birth followed telephone interview first fourth sixth monthalthough 843 mothers initiated bf discharge prevalence bf sixth month 324 highest reduction observed first fourth months prevalence ebf 48 h 188 fell gradually 50 sixth month mothers higher educational attainment higher family income likely breastfeed sixth month terms ebf association observed education persisted sixth month social gradient mode delivery strongest determinant bf initiation exclusivity continuation mothers gave birth vaginally three four times likely initiate bf or31 95 ci 17 54 ebf or43 95 ci 27 68the low prevalence bf ebf cyprus together fact caesarean section rates currently among highest europe suggest need research understand multidimensional phenomenon interdisciplinary policy action protect promote support bf