Regional Difference in the Breastfeeding Rates at the Age of 6 Weeks, 3 and 6 Months in the Czech Republic from 2000 to 2006

Czech version

Authors: A. Mydlilová ¹; J. Wiesnerová ²; A. Šípek ³
Authors‘ workplace: Národní laktační centrum, Fakultní Thomayerova nemocnice, Praha vedoucí MUDr. A. Mydlilová ¹; Ústav zdravotnických informací a statistiky, Praha ředitelka Mgr. V. Mazánková ²; Oddělení lékařské genetiky, Fakultní Thomayerova nemocnice, Praha primář MUDr. V. Gregor ³
Published in: Čes-slov Pediat 2009; 64 (10): 469-475.
Category: Original Papers

Overview

Purpose:
To determine breastfeeding rates at the age of 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months in the whole Czech Republic from 2000 to 2006 and to identify regions with the lowest breastfeeding rates and regional changes in breastfeeding rates from 2000 to 2006.

Methods:
Data from 648 625 infants born from 2000 to 2006 were collected retrospectively from Annual reports PLPDD-A016 that have to be filled by every pediatrician. The means were calculated for the whole Czech Republic and separately for each region.

Results:
The average rates of exclusively breastfed infants at 6 weeks increased from 26.1% in 2000 to 50% in 2006, at 3 months from 26.1% in 2000 to 39.4% in 2006 and at 6 months from 10.5% in 2000 to 22.8% in 2006. The average rates of any breastfeeding at 6 weeks increased from 53.9% in 2000 to 79.3% in 2006, at 3 months from 47.9% in 2000 to 60.7% in 2006 and at 6 months from 23.8% in 2000 to 40.9% in 2006. The regions with the lowest breastfeeding rates (Jihočeský, Ústecký a Liberecký) and with the highest breastfeeding rates (Zlínský, Středočeský and Prague) were identified. The possible influences of various maternal age and education in particular regions on regional differences are discussed.

Conclusion:
The breastfeeding rates in the Czech Republic are slowly improving; however, only less than 1/3 of infants are breastfed at the age of 6 months. In breastfeeding support it is necessary to focus on regions with identified low breastfeeding rates.

Key words:
breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding

Sources

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Labels

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Article was published in

Czech-Slovak Pediatrics

2009 Issue 10