Health determinants associated with exclusive breastfeeding: a scoping review

Abstract

Purpose: to map health determinants associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Methods: a scoping review conducted according to the JBI methodology and recommendations in PRISMA-Extension for Scoping Reviews. Data were collected in the MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, CINAHL, Scopus, and EMBASE databases and in the Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations for the grey literature. The results were synthesized and organized into three theoretical models: distal, intermediate, and proximal. Literature Review altogether, 3,998 titles were found, of which 145 were included in the review, after all selection stages. They had various methodological designs and were published between 2002 and 2022. The following health determinants associated with exclusive breastfeeding were mapped: maternal educational attainment, family income, attendance to and frequency of prenatal care, breastfeeding guidance and practices, time until first breastfeeding, newborn’s sex, maternal employment and maternity leave, pacifier use, and exclusive breastfeeding guidance at health services. Conclusion: determinants that can facilitate or hinder exclusive breastfeeding are extrinsic and intrinsic to the mother and infant. Public policies are needed to protect every person’s right to breastfeeding.