Abstract 194

Background. Formula supplements at the maternity ward have been recognized to be associated with a shorter duration of breastfeeding, thus the related factors should be investigated. Aim. To determine the social and biological factors associated with formula supplementation at the maternity ward. Subjects and methods. A sample of 2192 mother-infant pairs randomly selected from all the healthy term newborns occurred in Italy, November 1995. Information was gathered from the 1601 (73%) responders by a phone-administered questionnaire. Results. Among 1503 (94%) mother-infant pairs not reporting any clinical problem, 382 (25.4%) infants were given a formula in the first days after delivery. At multiple logistic regression formula supplements were more likely if: • rooming-in not available (P =0.001, Odds Ratio, OR, 1.47); • mother not having been breastfed herself (P =0.04, OR 1.35), • lower maternal education level (high vs low, P =0.04, OR 1.51), smoking mother (P = 0.05, OR 1.24). Conclusions. Preventable maternal factors are associated with early formula supplementations.