Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding in Kermanshah in 2007

The present analytical study was designed to determine the factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding in primary health centers of Kermanshah in 2007. 168 mothers with infants aged 6-12 months, with or without exclusive breastfeeding were studied. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and analytic statistics. In exclusive breastfeeding group the respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in the first six months after birth were significantly lower than that in non exclusive breast feeding group. Also, in the first group the duration of breast feeding in previous child was higher than that in the latter group (OR=4 and OR=5.1, respectively).No association was found between exclusive breastfeeding and parameters such as child gender, education, job and age of mother and time of starting the breastfeeding.