Abstract

Background: There are many indicators for breastfeeding assessment. The breastfeeding performance index (BPI) as a composite index to describe overall breastfeeding performance among infants under six months of age.
Objectives: To describe the breastfeeding practice using BPI and to identify factors associated with low breastfeeding performance.
Methods: A total of 528 mother-infant dyads were studied. Data was collected about the sociodemographic features, obstetric history, and the seven components of the BPI.
Results: The proportions of infants belonging to low, average and high BP categories were 27.1%, 41.7% and 31.3%, respectively. The regression analysis revealed that significant predictors of low BPI are (in order): private clinic/hospital delivery (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR=3.6); working mothers (AOR=2.0), and cesarean section delivery (AOR=1.7).
Conclusion: Factors identified will help to target mothers for breastfeeding promotion interventions.

Key words: Breastfeeding performance index –exclusive breastfeeding – breastfeeding initiation

Article Language: Turkish English