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. 2021 Apr 30;18(9):4783.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph18094783.

Factors Influencing Uptake of Breastfeeding: The Role of Early Promotion in the Maternity Hospital

Rosalia Ragusa  1 , Marina Marranzano  2 , Valentina Lucia La Rosa  3 , Gabriele Giorgianni  2 , Elena Commodari  3 , Rosalba Quattrocchi  4 , Salvatore Cacciola  5 , Vincenzo Guardabasso  6
Affiliations

Factors Influencing Uptake of Breastfeeding: The Role of Early Promotion in the Maternity Hospital

Rosalia Ragusa et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of breastfeeding at birth points in Sicily and the relevance of the factors influencing the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding during hospitalization linked to childbirth.

Methods: A survey was conducted to monitor the prevalence of breastfeeding in seven out of nine facilities providing maternity services in the province of Catania (Sicily, Southern Italy) in the years 2016-2018. An online questionnaire was administered using an electronic tablet by the midwife to the mother after discharge.

Results: Women who had a higher educational qualification breastfed in a greater proportion (59.6%; odds ratio OR 0.60 for abandoning breastfeeding). Having had a caesarean section moderately impaired breastfeeding uptake, with an almost double chance of declining exclusive breastfeeding (OR = 1.74). Starting breastfeeding within 1 h from delivery showed a significant facilitating effect (OR = 0.58). Rooming-in had a strong facilitating effect on exclusive breastfeeding. A breastfeeding advocacy program was shown to protect from abandoning breastfeeding.

Conclusions: It is important to offer in all hospitals the possibility and support for breastfeeding in the first moments after childbirth to increase the number of those who will then continue with exclusive breastfeeding.

Keywords: breastfeeding cessation; breastfeeding initiation; early postpartum; nursing support; promotion of breastfeeding.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Odds ratios (OR) for maternal and obstetrical factors protecting from or increasing risk of abandoning/not up taking exclusive breastfeeding. Note: Forest plot of OR (with 95% confidence intervals) on a scale of relative risk, where 1 (vertical solid line) represents no difference, values below 1 indicate protection from abandoning breastfeeding, and values above 1 indicate increased risk of abandoning breastfeeding.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Odds ratios (OR) for various hospitals compared to a maternity ward where a breastfeeding advocacy program was introduced to help mothers start breastfeeding early after delivery and maintain exclusive breastfeeding instead of mixed or artificial feeding. Note: Forest plot of OR (with 95% confidence intervals) on a scale of relative risk, where 1 (vertical solid line) represents no difference, and values above 1 indicate increased risk of abandoning breastfeeding.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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