Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Apr;15(2):e12714.
doi: 10.1111/mcn.12714. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Factors related to exclusive breastfeeding in Thai adolescent mothers: Concept mapping approach

Sasitara Nuampa  1 , Fongcum Tilokskulchai  2 , Crystal L Patil  3 , Nittaya Sinsuksai  4 , Wanna Phahuwatanakorn  4
Affiliations

Factors related to exclusive breastfeeding in Thai adolescent mothers: Concept mapping approach

Sasitara Nuampa et al. Matern Child Nutr. 2019 Apr.

Abstract

The advantages of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months are well-known. Unfortunately, adolescent mothers have lower rates of breastfeeding exclusivity and shorter duration of breastfeeding. There is limited evidence regarding exclusive breastfeeding determinants in adolescent mothers. The purpose of this study was to obtain adolescent mother-generated factors related to exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months. A mixed-methods design was conducted through concept mapping. Thirty adolescent mothers aged 15-19 years who had wide range of exclusive breastfeeding experiences brainstormed about specific factors. They then sorted and rated the statements into key clusters. Finally, half of the participants were involved in the interpretation of the mapping results and the creation of pathway diagrams. Data were analysed by multivariate statistics in the Concept System Global MAX program. The results showed that the adolescent mothers brainstormed about 104 statements on the factors related to exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months. These factors can be categorized into the following six key clusters: (a) breastfeeding advantages; (b) facilitating factors and necessary skills; (c) promotion and support needed; (d) community and social influence; (e) internal and external barriers; and (f) key problems in families. The pattern matching provided understanding of how key clusters are important to successful breastfeeding through comparing three groups of exclusive breastfeeding durations. Finally, the relationships of the stated factors were drawn in pathway diagrams. Exclusive breastfeeding experiences among Thai adolescent mothers showed complexity involving multilevel influences of social systems. The promotion of optimal breastfeeding should recognize the influences of both personal and environmental factors.

Keywords: Thailand; adolescent mothers; exclusive breastfeeding; mixed methods.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cluster rating map presented the average rating of important for all statements in six clusters on exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pattern match comparing the average rating of six clusters between exclusive breastfeeding of less than 1 month, 1–3 months, and 4–6 months. Note. EBF: exclusive breastfeeding
Figure 3
Figure 3
Diagram of the pathways in the breastfeeding advantages. Note. BF: breastfeeding; EBF: exclusive breastfeeding
Figure 4
Figure 4
Diagram of the pathway in the facilitating factors and necessary skills
Figure 5
Figure 5
Diagram of the pathways in the promotion and support needed. Note. BF: breastfeeding; EBF: exclusive breastfeeding
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Avery, A. , Zimmermann, K. , Underwood, P. W. , & Magnus, J. H. (2009). Confident commitment is a key factor for sustained breastfeeding. Birth, 36(2), 141–148. 10.1111/j.1523-536X.2009.00312.x - DOI - PubMed
    1. Balogun, O. O. , Dagvadorj, A. , Anigo, A. M. , Ota, E. , & Sasaki, S. (2015). Factors influencing breastfeeding exclusivity during the first 6 months of life in developing countries: A quantitative and qualitative systematic review. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 11(4), 433–451. 10.1111/mcn.12180 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Brown, A. , Raynor, P. , & Lee, M. (2011). Young mothers who choose to breast feed: The importance of being part of a supportive breast‐feeding community. Midwifery, 27(1), 53–59. 10.1016/j.midw.2009.09.004 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Burke, J. G. , O'Campo, P. , Peak, G. L. , Gielen, A. C. , McDonnell, K. A. , & Trochim, W. M. (2005). An introduction to concept mapping as a participatory public health research method. Qualitative Health Research, 15(10), 1392–1410. 10.1177/1049732305278876 - DOI - PubMed
    1. DeVito, J. (2010). How adolescent mothers feel about becoming a parent. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 19(2), 25–34. 10.1624/105812410X495523 - DOI - PMC - PubMed