The causes of formula milk consumption in the infants under 1 year old in Charmahalva Bakhtiari provins Iran, 2007

In spite of the importance of breast feeding, as an exclusive manner, continuing the breast feeding is ignored frequently. So identifying the factors related to non tendency for breast feeding could be effective in planning for progress of breast feeding. This study was performed to determine the causes of formula milk consumption in infants in Charmahal va Bakhtiari province. In a descriptive-analytical study, 411 under one year old infants in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari, Iran were selected through cluster randomized sampling. In this study a self making questionnaire was used which was consisted of some demographic information about mother and infant, diseases related to breast feeding and evaluating some factors related to tendency for using formula milk. This study conducted in 2007. The data were analyzed using chi-square and t-test. In this study, %51.6 of mothers were from rural areas and most of them (%59.7) were between 20-30 years of age. Generally about %76.1 of infants were using formula milk after 6 months. Our Results showed that most of the mothers and infants did not demonstrate any disease related to breast feeding. There was a significant difference between rural and urban infants, educational level of mother, age, and the kind of feeding (P<0.05). Inadequacy of mother milk was the most (%43.1) important reason of using formula milk. This study showed the limited knowledge of the mothers and health care personnel about the breast feeding and it is needed to continue educating the mothers during their pregnancy period and afterward.