Differences in maternal characteristics and their associations with breastfeeding attitudes among primiparous mothers

Background: The benefits of breastfeeding are well documented, yet substantially below half of all mothers globally meet the recommendation to exclusively breast-feed for 6 months. Objective: This study aimed to examine whether there were differences in maternal factors, including maternal characte...

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Main Authors: Mohd Shukri, Nurul Husna, Wells, Jonathan, Fewtrell, Mary
Format: Article
Published: Elsevier 2021
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author Mohd Shukri, Nurul Husna
Wells, Jonathan
Fewtrell, Mary
author_facet Mohd Shukri, Nurul Husna
Wells, Jonathan
Fewtrell, Mary
author_sort Mohd Shukri, Nurul Husna
collection UPM
description Background: The benefits of breastfeeding are well documented, yet substantially below half of all mothers globally meet the recommendation to exclusively breast-feed for 6 months. Objective: This study aimed to examine whether there were differences in maternal factors, including maternal characteristics and breastfeeding attitudes, between those who were eligible versus non-eligible to be included in a randomised trial, as= exclusive breastfeeding was the eligibility criteria for the trial. It also aimed to investigate associations between maternal factors and breastfeeding attitudes. Method: Primiparous pregnant mothers (n=88) completed questionnaires on demographic factors including maternity care and breastfeeding attitude using self-administered questionnaire and Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS). Two weeks post-birth, mothers were screened for eligibility to be included in a randomised trial including assessing for exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). Findings were compared between inclusion (all EBF mothers) and exclusion groups (non-EBF). Results: Inclusion group mothers were significantly younger than those in the exclusion group (26.7±2.8 v 28.5±2.5, p=0.007) and the majority had their husband as the primary maternity care person after birth (X2=12.8, p=0.01). Inclusion group mothers had a more positive perception toward breastfeeding in public and at work on the IIFAS scale (p<0.05). The overall IIFAS score was positively associated with higher breastfeeding confidence (r=0.285, p=0.008), education levels (r=0.31, p=0.003), household income (r=0.32, p=0.003), and age (r=0.28, p=0.008). Conclusion: EBF mothers (inclusion group) tend to be younger, had husband as primary care, and have more positive perception towards breastfeeding outside home. Overall, maternal characteristics and paternal support could influence breastfeeding practices and should be targeted for future intervention. Maternal attitude and perceptions about breastfeeding in public could be improved to encourage exclusive breastfeeding.
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spelling upm.eprints-967282023-02-01T02:47:59Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/96728/ Differences in maternal characteristics and their associations with breastfeeding attitudes among primiparous mothers Mohd Shukri, Nurul Husna Wells, Jonathan Fewtrell, Mary Background: The benefits of breastfeeding are well documented, yet substantially below half of all mothers globally meet the recommendation to exclusively breast-feed for 6 months. Objective: This study aimed to examine whether there were differences in maternal factors, including maternal characteristics and breastfeeding attitudes, between those who were eligible versus non-eligible to be included in a randomised trial, as= exclusive breastfeeding was the eligibility criteria for the trial. It also aimed to investigate associations between maternal factors and breastfeeding attitudes. Method: Primiparous pregnant mothers (n=88) completed questionnaires on demographic factors including maternity care and breastfeeding attitude using self-administered questionnaire and Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS). Two weeks post-birth, mothers were screened for eligibility to be included in a randomised trial including assessing for exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). Findings were compared between inclusion (all EBF mothers) and exclusion groups (non-EBF). Results: Inclusion group mothers were significantly younger than those in the exclusion group (26.7±2.8 v 28.5±2.5, p=0.007) and the majority had their husband as the primary maternity care person after birth (X2=12.8, p=0.01). Inclusion group mothers had a more positive perception toward breastfeeding in public and at work on the IIFAS scale (p<0.05). The overall IIFAS score was positively associated with higher breastfeeding confidence (r=0.285, p=0.008), education levels (r=0.31, p=0.003), household income (r=0.32, p=0.003), and age (r=0.28, p=0.008). Conclusion: EBF mothers (inclusion group) tend to be younger, had husband as primary care, and have more positive perception towards breastfeeding outside home. Overall, maternal characteristics and paternal support could influence breastfeeding practices and should be targeted for future intervention. Maternal attitude and perceptions about breastfeeding in public could be improved to encourage exclusive breastfeeding. Elsevier 2021 Article PeerReviewed Mohd Shukri, Nurul Husna and Wells, Jonathan and Fewtrell, Mary (2021) Differences in maternal characteristics and their associations with breastfeeding attitudes among primiparous mothers. Midwifery, 95. art. no. 102931. pp. 1-7. ISSN 0266-6138; ESSN: 1532-3099 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0266613821000103 10.1016/j.midw.2021.102931
spellingShingle Mohd Shukri, Nurul Husna
Wells, Jonathan
Fewtrell, Mary
Differences in maternal characteristics and their associations with breastfeeding attitudes among primiparous mothers
title Differences in maternal characteristics and their associations with breastfeeding attitudes among primiparous mothers
title_full Differences in maternal characteristics and their associations with breastfeeding attitudes among primiparous mothers
title_fullStr Differences in maternal characteristics and their associations with breastfeeding attitudes among primiparous mothers
title_full_unstemmed Differences in maternal characteristics and their associations with breastfeeding attitudes among primiparous mothers
title_short Differences in maternal characteristics and their associations with breastfeeding attitudes among primiparous mothers
title_sort differences in maternal characteristics and their associations with breastfeeding attitudes among primiparous mothers
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AT wellsjonathan differencesinmaternalcharacteristicsandtheirassociationswithbreastfeedingattitudesamongprimiparousmothers
AT fewtrellmary differencesinmaternalcharacteristicsandtheirassociationswithbreastfeedingattitudesamongprimiparousmothers