Author/Editor     Hoyer, Silvestra; Pokorn, Dražigost
Title     The influence of various factors on breast-feeding in Slovenia
Type     članek
Source     J Adv Nurs
Vol. and No.     Letnik 27
Publication year     1998
Volume     str. 1250-6
Language     eng
Abstract     This research on breast-feeding was conducted with 881 randomly selected Slovenian mothers who gave birth in January and February 1992. At the time of the study the infants were about 15 months old. The survey was conducted in the homes of the mothers. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, t-test and multivariate binary regression analysis. The mothers' average age was 26.2 years. Their educationallevel was approximately 12 years of public schooling. On average there were 1.67 children per family. Of the total surveyed, 22 mothers (2.5%) did not breast-feed their babies; 38 mothers (4.3%) were still breast-feeding at the time of the survey. The average duration of breast-feeding for mothers who stopped before or at 15 months of the infant's age was 159.1 days (about 5 months). Having adequate information about breast-feeding and failing to state problems during the breast-feeding period were found to be positive intluences which induced mothers to breast- feed their infants. Characteristics of the mothers which influenced longer duration of breast-feeding were: feeding eight or more times daily in the first month of breast-feeding, the birth order of the infant, attending courses for parents, deciding before the birth to breast-feed, living in the city, living with a partner, having a secure income, having no other problems during the period of breast-feeding, spoon-feeding liquids, having a secondary level or more of education, being well informed about breast-feeding and giving the first feed within 12 hours after the birth. Breast feeding among Slovenian mothers is significantly on the rise and the period of breast-feeding is being extended to 6 months. Nevertheless, greater efforts are needed in the education of health personnel to promote and support the healthy practice of breast-feeding.
Descriptors     BREAST FEEDING
DECISION MAKING
HEALTH EDUCATION
INFANT
ADOLESCENCE
ADULT
INFANT FOOD
MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS
REGRESSION ANALYSIS
SLOVENIA
SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS
TIME FACTORS