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  • Title: Breastfeeding effects on birth interval components: a prospective child health study in Gaza.
    Author: Anderson JE, Becker S, Guinena AH, McCarthy BJ.
    Journal: Stud Fam Plann; 1986; 17(3):153-60. PubMed ID: 3726904.
    Abstract:
    Data that were collected prospectively from a child health study conducted in Gaza show a strong relationship between breastfeeding and two major components of birth intervals, the postpartum anovulatory period and the waiting time to conception. The Gaza population is similar to other populations in the Middle East in having moderate durations of breastfeeding and short intervals between births. The finding of a strong positive association between breastfeeding and the length of postpartum amenorrhea is as expected from numerous other studies. The relationship between breastfeeding behavior and the waiting time to conception is examined using hazard model analysis. Women who are breastfeeding when menstruation resumes and continue to do so are less likely to conceive than other women, according to the analysis. Data from a prospective child health study conducted in Gaza by the WHO was used to examine the relationship between infant feeding and subsequent fertility. The study group consisted of 769 women living in 2 refugee camps in Gaza who gave birth in a 2-month period in 1978, and their index children, followed up for 23 months with monthly visits. Women who became pregnant within the 23 months were followed up until the end of their pregnancy. Women who practiced contraception after the birth of the index child were excluded. Life table analyses demonstrate a strong relationship between breastfeeding and 2 components of birth intervals, the postpartum anovulatory period and the waiting time from the end of the anovulatory period to conception. Duration of breastfeeding in this population averaged 12 months. Once menses have resumed, main factors related to waiting time to conception are age, husbands education, and measures of breastfeeding intensity and duration. Women who are breastfeeding when menstruation resumes and continue to do so are less likely to conceive than other women.
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