Influence of unintended pregnancy on breastfeeding duration *

摘要

Objective: Determine the prevalence of an unplanned pregnancy among mothers participating in the breastfeeding incentive program in a poor community and compare the breastfeeding durations of both a planned and unplanned pregnancy. Method: It was an exploratory, descriptive, retrospective documentary, and quantitative study. A sample of 202 records were integrated (N = 202). Results: Sociodemographic data revealed a mean age of 24.68 years (DP ?± 6.07), 153 (75.74%) with a partner, with 103 (50.99%) a?￥ 8 years of formal education, 168 (83.16%) were homemakers with an average family income of R$ 971.82 (DP ?± 63.12). It was identified that, although 95 (47.03%) were primiparous, 197(97.52%) had received prenatal care and 103 (50%) had not planned their pregnancy. The average time of breastfeeding was 110.92 days, and the median was 112 days. In comparing the time difference between mothers with a planned and unplanned pregnancy the t -Student test was used and no statistically significant difference was observed ( p = 0.346). Conclusion: Planned or unplanned pregnancy had no influence over the breastfeeding of these mothers.