The Rates of Breastfeeding in Baby-Friendly Hospitals in Greece: A Nationwide Survey
Eftychia Liakou,
Evangelos Christou,
Nicoletta Iacovidou,
Abraham Pouliakis,
Rozeta Sokou,
Chrysa Petropoulou,
Paraskevi Volaki,
Anastasia Triantafyllou,
Matina Zantiotou,
Dionisios Vrachnis,
Theodora Boutsikou,
Zoi Iliodromiti
Affiliations
Eftychia Liakou
Neonatal Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Evangelos Christou
Neonatal Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Nicoletta Iacovidou
Neonatal Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Abraham Pouliakis
Second Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Attikon” University Hospital, 124 61 Athens, Greece
Rozeta Sokou
Neonatal Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Chrysa Petropoulou
Neonatal Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Paraskevi Volaki
Neonatal Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Anastasia Triantafyllou
Neonatal Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Matina Zantiotou
Neonatal Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Dionisios Vrachnis
Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Theodora Boutsikou
Neonatal Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Zoi Iliodromiti
Neonatal Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) remains the cornerstone of infant nutrition for the first six months of life, presenting multiple short and long term benefits. The purpose of this study is the demonstration of EBF rates of infants born in baby-friendly hospitals (BFH) and the factors that positively influence EBF. Methods: The study was conducted in all four of the BFH that exist in Greece, between 2020 and 2022. The study sample consisted of 1200 mothers, taken from the 7101 that delivered at those hospitals during the time of the study. A questionnaire was used that included questions to evaluate the infant’s nutrition after birth, after exiting the maternity hospital and during the 2nd, 4th and 6th month of age. The WHO guidelines on EBF and breastfeeding (BF), as well as the “Infant and Young Child Feeding” indicators, were used. Results: The EBF rate within 1 h after birth was 71.3%, which gradually declined to 21.2% in the 6th month. The respective rate of BF was 94.5% and declined to 66.1%. The logistic regression revealed that attending antenatal breastfeeding courses, vaginal delivery, full-term pregnancies and the mothers’ advanced education level constitute independent positive prognostic factors for increased EBF rates. Conclusion: The results of the first national study on BFH are presented. Despite the improvement of EBF rates in Greece, compared to the latest available data from 2018, reinforcement of EBF promotion measures is required in order to approach the WHO’s targets by 2025.
