The Factors Affecting Exclusive Breastfeeding in 6 Month-Old Infants: A Population-Based Case-Control Study

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding contributes to the health and survival of the newborn. Many factors influence this behavior. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the related determinant factors. Methods: In this case-control study 8130 cases that did not have exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months of age were matched with 53266 people from control group. The two groups were compared in terms of risk factors such as sex, birth rank, weight, height and head circumference, type of delivery, maternal age, hypothyroidism in the infant, mother’s disease, mother’s educational level, job and breastfeeding at night. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was applied to determine the association between independent variables and non- exclusive breastfeeding. Results: Ninety % of mothers had exclusive breastfeeding their infants. In multivariate analysis low birth weight (AOR = 2.37; 95% CI: 1.45 - 3.86), head circumferences 32.5 cm (AOR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.11 - 3.06), cesarean section (AOR = 2; 95% CI: 1.45 - 2.75), older age (AOR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.44 - 1.75), being employed (AOR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.12 - 1.46) and no breastfeeding at night (AOR = 199; 95% CI: 1.48 - 2.69) remained in the final model after adjusting for confounding variables. Conclusions: planning interventions aimed at knowledge promotion, encouraging vaginal delivery, paying attention to employed mothers and mothers without breastfeeding at night could be beneficial in improving exclusive breastfeeding among mothers.