Impacto de los factores sociodemográficos en la lactancia materna exclusiva en el Ecuador

Jimmy Alexander Erazo Pomaquisa; Darío Fernando Martínez Cabadiana; Melanie Isabel Oleas Heredia; Geomara Dayana Bravo Lapo; Paola Monserrath Dávalos Balseca; Jessenia Esmeralda Villalba De La Vega

doi:10.70577/ASCE/1531.1549/2025

Authors

Jimmy Alexander Erazo Pomaquisa Universidad Internacional de La Rioja https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4167-0442
Darío Fernando Martínez Cabadiana Investigador Independiente https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4599-6408
Melanie Isabel Oleas Heredia Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1978-1771
Geomara Dayana Bravo Lapo Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4504-591X
Paola Monserrath Dávalos Balseca Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0950-936X
Jessenia Esmeralda Villalba De La Vega Investigadora independiente https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4130-4657

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70577/ASCE/1531.1549/2025

Keywords:

Exclusive Breastfeeding; Sociodemographic Factors; Risk Factors; Infant; Ecuador

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first 6 months of an infant's life and continued breastfeeding (BF) for the next 2 years. The global rate of EBF is low; therefore, it is important to identify the factors that influence compliance. The objective of this research was to determine the sociodemographic factors that determine non-adherence to or abandonment of EBF in Ecuador. An analytical cross-sectional observational study was conducted using the open-access database of the second round of the National Survey of Child Malnutrition (ENDI); data from a total of 12,141 children under 3 years of age were included. Differences in sociodemographic and BF characteristics with the practice of EBF were verified using the chi-square test. A logistic regression analysis was performed to verify factors related to EBF. The overall prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding adherence for at least the first 6 months of a child's life was 36.11%. Sociodemographic factors are closely related to adherence to or abandonment of EBF in the Ecuadorian population. Therefore, multifaceted, effective, and evidence-based efforts are needed to increase the national level of exclusive breastfeeding.

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