RESUMO
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The authors report the results of an epidemiological study on breastfeeding from 1978 to 1993, followed by the same operators using the same method in the same territory, a semi-rural area of the province of Padua. In particular, they report the results for 1993 and compare them with those of earlier years and with those in Selvazzano, a town lying on the outskirts of the city of Padua. METHODS: A total of 963 of the 1115 women who had given birth during the study period were interviewed (85.6%). RESULTS: The frequency of breastfeeding rose from 61% in 1978 to 81% in 1993 and its mean duration from 4 to 6.3 months. The frequency of breastfeeding in Selvazzano was slightly lower (72%) as was the mean duration (5.8 months). The factor which most strongly influenced breastfeeding was the mother's work: its frequency was 66.1% for factory workers, 89.9% for housewives, 79.2% for office workers and teachers, 85.7% for shopkeepers-craftworkers and 75% for managerial staff. From the overall data it was observed that the frequency of breastfeeding increased in parallel to the length of time off work after birth: it rose from 69% among working women taking 3 months off work to 86% in housewives and those taking > or = 13 months off work. The level of education had less of an effect on the decision to breastfeed: the frequency of breastfeeding in mothers with high-school diplomas or university degrees was 85% compared to 79% in those with a lower level of education. According to this study the age of the mother did not influence the frequency of breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: The authors emphasise the need to carry out concrete new initiatives in favour of working mothers.
