[Factors related to initiation, type and length of breast feeding among participants and non-participants in prenatal breast feeding education at a local hospital].

: The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated to initiation, type and duration of breastfeeding among participants and non-participants in prenatal breastfeeding classes at a local hospital (n = 153). Pre-experimental study design was used. The participants of the study were selected by simple systematic random sampling. Median age of participants was 28 years and 85% were married at the moment of the interview. 88.9% began to breast feed at some time and of these 32% breastfed for six months. Average number of school years completed by participants was 15.1 with a standard deviation of 1.9 years. The inferential results reflected statistical association between participation in prenatal breastfeeding classes and the initiation, type and duration of breastfeeding. Multiple regression results indicate a positive relationship between duration of breastfeeding and participation in breastfeeding support groups, after controlling for all factors of the conceptual model. The results of this study give support for hospital and community initiatives for increasing the incidence of breastfeeding and for extending the duration of breastfeeding. It is further recommended that continued education courses be offered to health professionals on breastfeeding techniques.