OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of smoking and alcoholic beverage consumption among mothers of infants under six months of age. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study of mothers of all infants up to six months of age who were enrolled in child care programs at the Basic Care Units of Ribeirão Preto city, linked to the six Health Care Centers of Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine of São Paulo University, Brazil. Mothers answered a questionnaire regarding maternal age, educational degree, parity, occupation, time of exclusive breastfeeding and partial breastfeeding, consumption of alcoholic beverages and active and passive smoking at home. RESULTS: 504 women were interviewed. Among the 324 (64,3 %) that had some contact with tobacco, 97 (19.2%) were active smokers, 142 (28.2%) were passive smokers and 85 (16.8%) were active and passive smokers. Among the 97 active smokers, 78 (80.4%) were breastfeeding, as well as the 118 (83.1%) of 142 passive smokers mothers. Regarding alcohol, 56 (11.1%) mothers mentioned alcohol consumption and, of these, 45 (80.3%) were breastfeeding. Fifteen (26.8%) mothers who consumed alcohol were also smokers. CONCLUSIONS: This study found high prevalence of mothers who had some contact with smoking and alcohol consumption, showing that investment in prenatal and child care programs is essential to prevent these practices.
breast feeding; smoking; alcoholism; child care; primary health care
