note on breast feeding in an immigrant population in Brazil

Principal breastfeeding characteristics of 1004 children under age 13 from 335 immigrant families in Sao Paulo, Brazil were analyzed. The families originated principally from rural southeast and northeast Brazil, and had high illiteracy rates and low per capita incomes. The breastfeeding duration (BFD) was indirectly measured by the life table method, calculating the proportion of children reaching a given number of months of life who were still breast fed. Selected biological and social parameters also were considered. The results showed that the BFD was prolonged (median duration of 11.5 months), without evidence of lessening in younger children. A longer BFD was observed with increasing mother's age at delivery, and for children having mothers raised in rural areas. A shorter BFD was found for first pregnancy children and for families having a relatively higher per capita income. Children's sex and mothers' literacy level did not affect the BFD. A new pregnancy was the most frequent reason for weaning (34%), with insufficient milk being second (27.6%). Since migratory trends continue from rural areas to cities, BFD may be shortened by urban influences. (wz)