Increasing prevalence of breast-feeding

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Maternal and Child Health
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Breast-feeding is a critical public health behavior with significant benefits for infant and maternal health.
• Understanding trends and influencing factors in breast-feeding practices is essential for developing effective health interventions.
• Previous data indicated a high prevalence of breast-feeding, but the impact of targeted interventions required further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of and maternal attitudes towards breast-feeding in two distinct time periods.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a public health campaign aimed at increasing breast-feeding rates.
• To identify demographic factors, such as parity and socioeconomic status, associated with breast-feeding intentions and practices.

Main Methods:

• Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted, collecting data from mothers who delivered in specific months of 1975 and 1977.
• Questionnaires were administered one month post-delivery to determine current breast-feeding status, with a follow-up at three months for those breast-feeding.
• Maternal intentions regarding breast-feeding were surveyed, analyzing data by race and socioeconomic class (social classes I-V).

Main Results:

• A statistically significant increase in breast-feeding prevalence was observed between 1975 and 1977.
• Primiparous mothers demonstrated a higher likelihood of breast-feeding compared to multiparous mothers in both study periods.
• While racial differences in breast-feeding intention were not significant, socioeconomic status showed a clear gradient, with higher intentions in upper social classes (82% in I/II vs. 54% in IV/V).

Conclusions:

• The public health campaign implemented between 1975 and 1977 was effective in increasing the prevalence of breast-feeding.
• Socioeconomic status is a significant factor influencing mothers' intentions to breast-feed.
• Continued efforts targeting mothers, healthcare professionals, and community health workers can further promote breast-feeding practices.