Breast-feeding in industrialized and agricultural countries
Gerstner, G.J.; Leodolter, S.; Matznetter, T.
Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics and Gynecology 9(3): 193-198
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0390-6663 PMID: 6299617 Document Number: 192666
Data from an extensive anthropological study concerning breastfeeding in several European and African countries, industrialized as well as agricultural, were evaluated by a computer program of the medical computer center at the University of Vienna and compared to a similar investigation performed at the 1st Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Vienna. 1260 women were studied during the early puerperium in hospitals and maternity wards in Austria, Germany, Portugal, and the Ivory Coast in West Africa. The incidence of breastfeeding showed a significant difference, with 64% in the industrialized nations of Europe such as Austria and Germany and 72% in the mainly agricultural country of Portugal, and 98% in developing countries such as the Ivory Coast. The rate in Vienna was 67%. Similar patterns were found concerning duration of breastfeeding in 398 multiparous mothers. The mean value was at 7.3 +or- 4.2 weeks in Austria and Germany, 18.3 +or- 11.2 weeks in Portugal, and 70.5 +or- 18.6 weeks in the Ivory Coast. In Vienna, it amounted to 9.2 +or- 5.7 weeks. After an interval of 3 months postpartum in Austria and Germany, 20% of the mothers, 40% in Portugal, and 98% in the Ivory Coast were still breastfeeding. After 6 months, the percentages were 6%, 22%, and 98%; after 1 year, 0%, 12%, and 84%. In Africa's developing countries such as the Ivory Coast, practically all mothers were breastfeeding for at least 1 year, 24% for even 2 years. In industrial nations, factors such as age, profession, socioeconomic status, and mode of delivery have an influence on incidence and duration of breastfeeding.