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Summary
Socioeconomic status and maternal occupation influence breast-feeding duration. Higher socioeconomic status and maternal employment in health, education, or social sectors correlate with longer breast-feeding periods.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Breast-feeding is a critical infant nutrition practice.
- Understanding factors influencing breast-feeding duration is essential for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between social factors and the duration of breast-feeding.
- To identify demographic and occupational correlates of breast-feeding duration.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study utilizing questionnaire data from a sample of children aged 14-38 months in Turku, Finland.
- Data collected in March 1983.
- Analysis focused on duration of breast-feeding in relation to socioeconomic status, parental occupation, and family structure.
Main Results:
- Average breast-feeding duration was 5.7 months.
- No significant association found between breast-feeding duration and child's sex, number of siblings, or birth order.
- Higher paternal socioeconomic status was linked to longer breast-feeding duration.
- Maternal occupations in health, education, and social sectors were associated with extended breast-feeding.
- Working mothers breast-fed longer than housewives.
Conclusions:
- Socioeconomic status and maternal occupation are significant factors influencing breast-feeding duration.
- Targeted information strategies are needed for lower socioeconomic groups and fathers to promote breast-feeding.
- Further research could explore the mechanisms behind these associations.