THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46793/PP260125015BKeywords:
breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, parity, family support, ethnic background, mothers, public healthAbstract
Introduction: Breastfeeding has multiple positive benefits for the health of children and mothers, the environment and the economy. Breastfeeding success and breastfeeding duration are influenced by biological, sociodemographic, cultural and psychological factors. Accordingly, the support that the mother receives from her environment, health workers, society and the state can significantly contribute to the success and increase of the breastfeeding rate.
Aim: The aim of the research was to examine the frequency of breastfeeding and identify sociodemographic factors associated with the success of exclusive breastfeeding among women who gave birth in 2025 in the territory of the municipality of Doljevac.
Material and methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 95 women who became mothers during 2025. The following factors were analyzed: parity, maternal age, level of education, mode of delivery, support of parner and immediate family, as well as ethnicity. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test, while odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for statistically significant factors. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Out of 95 participants, 56 women (58.9%) exclusively breastfed their infants during the first six months. A statistically significant association with successful breastfeeding was found for parity, family support, and ethnic background. Multiparous women were significantly more likely to breastfeed compared to primiparous women (OR = 4.13; 95% CI: 1.16–14.7). All women who reported family support breastfed their infants, whereas none of the women without support did so (OR ≈ 0; p < 0.001). Women of Roma ethnic background had a significantly lower breastfeeding rate compared to non-Roma women (OR = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.03–0.30). Maternal age, level of education, and mode of delivery were not significantly associated with breastfeeding success.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that family support, previous maternal experience, and ethnicity are key determinants of successful breastfeeding. These results highlight the need for targeted education and strengthened support systems, particularly for first-time mothers and women from socially vulnerable groups, in order to improve exclusive breastfeeding rates.
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