BREASTFEEDING CLINIC PROGRAM: SUPPORTING WOMEN AND CHILD THROUGH BREASTFEEDING PROCESS IN A PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (PHC) CENTRE IN VALPARAÍSO

Breast feeding is one of the most important protector factors for integral child health. The world health organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in children up to 6th month old. In Chile EBF up to 6th month old is around 56% (2013), prevalence that has had an increase after the extension of maternity leave up to the newborn´s 24 weeks old (44%, 2012). In the case of Jean y Marie Thierry (JMT) PHC Centre, Valparaíso; in 2014, there was a prevalence of EBF at 6th month age of 30%. Due to the low prevalence reached in JMT, in relation to national data, a breastfeeding Clinic program has been implemented during 2015. It has consisted in weekly meetings between a group of mothers and their infants with difficulties or inquiries about breastfeeding, leaded by a breastfeeding support trained midwife. The aim of this observational study is to evaluate if Breastfeeding Clinic program implemented during 2015 has had impact in EBF in under 6th month infants from JMT. Average of EBF at first, third and sixth month old has been compared between years 2014 (58,2%, 53,4%, 30,3%) and 2015 (74,7%, 69,8%, 48,8%), respectively. T-test has been applied to the independent means. The tree means compared had significant statistical difference. After data analysis is possible to conclude that there was a statistical significant increase in EBF in the period. It could be related to the breastfeeding clinic program implemented.