Beyond mothers: the crucial role of family caregivers’ knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding in rural western China
Abstract Background The exclusive breastfeeding rate in China remains significantly low. Numerous studies have identified the impact of maternal characteristics on exclusive breastfeeding; however, the correlation between primary family caregivers’ characteristics, such as health and nutrition knowl...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2023-11-01
|
| Series: | International Breastfeeding Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-023-00596-8 |
| _version_ | 1797629965350469632 |
|---|---|
| author | Jingchun Nie Jinbiao Ye Shichong Wu Nan Wang Yangyuan Li Yunjie Liu Zulihumaer Reheman Junhao Wu Jie Yang Yaojiang Shi |
| author_facet | Jingchun Nie Jinbiao Ye Shichong Wu Nan Wang Yangyuan Li Yunjie Liu Zulihumaer Reheman Junhao Wu Jie Yang Yaojiang Shi |
| author_sort | Jingchun Nie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The exclusive breastfeeding rate in China remains significantly low. Numerous studies have identified the impact of maternal characteristics on exclusive breastfeeding; however, the correlation between primary family caregivers’ characteristics, such as health and nutrition knowledge, and exclusive breastfeeding still lacks clarity. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the health and nutrition knowledge of primary family caregivers and exclusive breastfeeding in rural China. Methods In 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted in two prefectures within the Qinba Mountains area, located in the southern region of Shaanxi province. Data on knowledge of health and nutrition, breastfeeding practices, breastfeeding family support, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and conflict frequency were collected via structured questionnaires from 372 caregiver-infant pairs. Infant feeding practices were assessed based on the caregivers’ recall of the previous day (within the 24 h before the interview). The mother was interviewed first, followed by a brief questionnaire for the primary family caregiver, both conducted individually to minimize disruptions from other family members. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to explore the correlation between knowledge of mothers and primary family caregivers and exclusive breastfeeding. Results The exclusive breastfeeding rate for six-month-old infants in the sample was 15.7%. On average, mothers scored 4.6 (SD 1.4) for health and nutrition knowledge, while primary family caregivers scored 3.6 (SD 1.4). Both maternal (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.16, 1.88) and primary family caregiver’s (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.05, 1.70) health and nutrition knowledge were significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding. A positive correlation (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.40, 2.80) existed between the average health and nutrition knowledge of the mother and primary family caregiver and exclusive breastfeeding. The primary family caregiver’s health and nutrition knowledge was positively correlated with the practical family support perceived by the mother (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.02, 1.49) and breastfeeding self-efficacy of the mother (β = 1.40; 95% CI 0.29, 2.50). Conclusions The characteristics of the primary family caregiver play a large role in exclusive breastfeeding. To promote exclusive breastfeeding, interventions should address the needs of the whole family instead of just mothers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T11:00:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8dc673ca3d3f41a89280a937efe90195 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-4358 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T11:00:15Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Breastfeeding Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-8dc673ca3d3f41a89280a937efe901952023-11-12T12:31:05ZengBMCInternational Breastfeeding Journal1746-43582023-11-0118111010.1186/s13006-023-00596-8Beyond mothers: the crucial role of family caregivers’ knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding in rural western ChinaJingchun Nie0Jinbiao Ye1Shichong Wu2Nan Wang3Yangyuan Li4Yunjie Liu5Zulihumaer Reheman6Junhao Wu7Jie Yang8Yaojiang Shi9Center for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityCenter for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversitySchool of Economics, Xiamen UniversityCenter for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityCenter for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityCenter for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityCenter for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityCenter for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityCenter for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityCenter for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityAbstract Background The exclusive breastfeeding rate in China remains significantly low. Numerous studies have identified the impact of maternal characteristics on exclusive breastfeeding; however, the correlation between primary family caregivers’ characteristics, such as health and nutrition knowledge, and exclusive breastfeeding still lacks clarity. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the health and nutrition knowledge of primary family caregivers and exclusive breastfeeding in rural China. Methods In 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted in two prefectures within the Qinba Mountains area, located in the southern region of Shaanxi province. Data on knowledge of health and nutrition, breastfeeding practices, breastfeeding family support, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and conflict frequency were collected via structured questionnaires from 372 caregiver-infant pairs. Infant feeding practices were assessed based on the caregivers’ recall of the previous day (within the 24 h before the interview). The mother was interviewed first, followed by a brief questionnaire for the primary family caregiver, both conducted individually to minimize disruptions from other family members. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to explore the correlation between knowledge of mothers and primary family caregivers and exclusive breastfeeding. Results The exclusive breastfeeding rate for six-month-old infants in the sample was 15.7%. On average, mothers scored 4.6 (SD 1.4) for health and nutrition knowledge, while primary family caregivers scored 3.6 (SD 1.4). Both maternal (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.16, 1.88) and primary family caregiver’s (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.05, 1.70) health and nutrition knowledge were significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding. A positive correlation (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.40, 2.80) existed between the average health and nutrition knowledge of the mother and primary family caregiver and exclusive breastfeeding. The primary family caregiver’s health and nutrition knowledge was positively correlated with the practical family support perceived by the mother (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.02, 1.49) and breastfeeding self-efficacy of the mother (β = 1.40; 95% CI 0.29, 2.50). Conclusions The characteristics of the primary family caregiver play a large role in exclusive breastfeeding. To promote exclusive breastfeeding, interventions should address the needs of the whole family instead of just mothers.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-023-00596-8Exclusive breastfeedingPrimary family caregiverHealth and nutrition knowledge |
| spellingShingle | Jingchun Nie Jinbiao Ye Shichong Wu Nan Wang Yangyuan Li Yunjie Liu Zulihumaer Reheman Junhao Wu Jie Yang Yaojiang Shi Beyond mothers: the crucial role of family caregivers’ knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding in rural western China International Breastfeeding Journal Exclusive breastfeeding Primary family caregiver Health and nutrition knowledge |
| title | Beyond mothers: the crucial role of family caregivers’ knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding in rural western China |
| title_full | Beyond mothers: the crucial role of family caregivers’ knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding in rural western China |
| title_fullStr | Beyond mothers: the crucial role of family caregivers’ knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding in rural western China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond mothers: the crucial role of family caregivers’ knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding in rural western China |
| title_short | Beyond mothers: the crucial role of family caregivers’ knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding in rural western China |
| title_sort | beyond mothers the crucial role of family caregivers knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding in rural western china |
| topic | Exclusive breastfeeding Primary family caregiver Health and nutrition knowledge |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-023-00596-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jingchunnie beyondmothersthecrucialroleoffamilycaregiversknowledgeonexclusivebreastfeedinginruralwesternchina AT jinbiaoye beyondmothersthecrucialroleoffamilycaregiversknowledgeonexclusivebreastfeedinginruralwesternchina AT shichongwu beyondmothersthecrucialroleoffamilycaregiversknowledgeonexclusivebreastfeedinginruralwesternchina AT nanwang beyondmothersthecrucialroleoffamilycaregiversknowledgeonexclusivebreastfeedinginruralwesternchina AT yangyuanli beyondmothersthecrucialroleoffamilycaregiversknowledgeonexclusivebreastfeedinginruralwesternchina AT yunjieliu beyondmothersthecrucialroleoffamilycaregiversknowledgeonexclusivebreastfeedinginruralwesternchina AT zulihumaerreheman beyondmothersthecrucialroleoffamilycaregiversknowledgeonexclusivebreastfeedinginruralwesternchina AT junhaowu beyondmothersthecrucialroleoffamilycaregiversknowledgeonexclusivebreastfeedinginruralwesternchina AT jieyang beyondmothersthecrucialroleoffamilycaregiversknowledgeonexclusivebreastfeedinginruralwesternchina AT yaojiangshi beyondmothersthecrucialroleoffamilycaregiversknowledgeonexclusivebreastfeedinginruralwesternchina |