Irena Zakarija-Grković1, Olga Šegvić2, Ana Vučković Vukušić3, Toni Lozančić4, Toni Božinović5, Anamarija Ćuže6, Tea Burmaz7. 1. 1 Department of Family Medicine, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, Split 21000, Croatia irena.zakarija-grkovic@mefst.hr. 2. 2 Health Centre "Dr.A.Franulović" Vela Luka, Kale 1, Vela Luka 20270, Croatia. 3. 3 Health Centre of Split and Dalmatia County, Kavanjinova 2, Split 21 000, Croatia. 4. 4 Department of Anaesthetics, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, Split 21000, Croatia. 5. 5 Department of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, Split 21000, Croatia. 6. 6 Health Centre of Split and Dalmatia County, Kavanjinova 2, Split 21000, Croatia. 7. 7 Department of Molecular Medicine, Public Health Section, University of Padova, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sub-optimum breastfeeding significantly contributes to the global burden of disease. Our aim was to identify risk factors associated with suboptimal breastfeeding in Southern Croatia. METHODS: Between February 2008 and August 2009, 773 mother-infant pairs were recruited from University Hospital of Split Maternity Unit. Mothers were interviewed at birth, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. RESULTS: Ninety-nine percent of mothers initiated breastfeeding but only 2.2% of them exclusively breastfed whilst in hospital. At 24 months, 4.1% of mothers were breastfeeding. Exclusive and any breastfeeding at 3 months was negatively associated with maternal education of 12 years or less, smoking during pregnancy, intention to use a pacifier and in-hospital formula supplementation. In addition, exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months was negatively associated with primiparity, antenatal course non-attendance and not receiving assistance with breastfeeding from hospital staff. Antenatal course non-attendance and discussing infant feeding with a health professional during pregnancy lowered the odds for any breastfeeding at 6 months. At 12 and 24 months, a lower level of education, antenatal course non-attendance and not receiving advice in hospital on feeding frequency was significantly associated with lower odds of breastfeeding. Additionally, intention to use a pacifier was found to be a negative predictor of breastfeeding at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Important modifiable risk factors found to be significantly associated with suboptimal breastfeeding include smoking during pregnancy, intention to use a pacifier, in-hospital formula supplementation, not receiving advice from hospital staff on normal feeding patterns, not receiving assistance with breastfeeding in hospital and antenatal course non-attendance.
BACKGROUND: Sub-optimum breastfeeding significantly contributes to the global burden of disease. Our aim was to identify risk factors associated with suboptimal breastfeeding in Southern Croatia. METHODS: Between February 2008 and August 2009, 773 mother-infant pairs were recruited from University Hospital of Split Maternity Unit. Mothers were interviewed at birth, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. RESULTS: Ninety-nine percent of mothers initiated breastfeeding but only 2.2% of them exclusively breastfed whilst in hospital. At 24 months, 4.1% of mothers were breastfeeding. Exclusive and any breastfeeding at 3 months was negatively associated with maternal education of 12 years or less, smoking during pregnancy, intention to use a pacifier and in-hospital formula supplementation. In addition, exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months was negatively associated with primiparity, antenatal course non-attendance and not receiving assistance with breastfeeding from hospital staff. Antenatal course non-attendance and discussing infant feeding with a health professional during pregnancy lowered the odds for any breastfeeding at 6 months. At 12 and 24 months, a lower level of education, antenatal course non-attendance and not receiving advice in hospital on feeding frequency was significantly associated with lower odds of breastfeeding. Additionally, intention to use a pacifier was found to be a negative predictor of breastfeeding at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Important modifiable risk factors found to be significantly associated with suboptimal breastfeeding include smoking during pregnancy, intention to use a pacifier, in-hospital formula supplementation, not receiving advice from hospital staff on normal feeding patterns, not receiving assistance with breastfeeding in hospital and antenatal course non-attendance.
Authors: Rosalia Ragusa; Marina Marranzano; Valentina Lucia La Rosa; Gabriele Giorgianni; Elena Commodari; Rosalba Quattrocchi; Salvatore Cacciola; Vincenzo Guardabasso Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-30 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Rafael Pérez-Escamilla; Amber Hromi-Fiedler; Elizabeth C Rhodes; Paulo A R Neves; Juliana Vaz; Mireya Vilar-Compte; Sofia Segura-Pérez; Kate Nyhan Journal: Matern Child Nutr Date: 2022-04-30 Impact factor: 3.660