Prevalence and Factors Associated With Breastfeeding in the First Hour of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and factors associated with breastfeeding in the first hour of life. Methods: Cross-sectional study made with postpartum women who were patients at public maternity hospitals in the city of Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, between 2020-2021. Aspects such as sociodemographic and behavioral data of the woman and her intimate partner, obstetric characteristics, in addition to intimate partner violence during pregnancy were evaluated. A hierarchical analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression, in which the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI95%) were calculated. Results: 413 women were interviewed. There was a 66.8% prevalence of breastfeeding in the first hour of life. Factors such as the presence of a companion (AOR=1.66; CI95% 1.34-2.29), skin-to-skin contact with the newborn (AOR=2.14; CI95% 1.04-4.38) and experiencing a natural birth (AOR=2.06; CI95% 1.90-4.73) increased the chances of breastfeeding in the first hour. The lack of a partner (AOR=0.47; CI95% 0.25-0.86) and having a non-white partner (AOR=0.45; CI95% 0.24-0.83) were factors that decreased the chances of breastfeeding. Conclusions: The prevalence of breastfeeding in the first hour of life was considered good. Obstetric and childbirth care factors contributed positively to the practice of breastfeeding. The collected data reinforce the importance of offering quality assistance during the parturition process.