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. 2025 Jul 25;20(1):56.
doi: 10.1186/s13006-025-00757-x.

Analysis of breastfeeding status and influencing factors among healthcare workers in Southwestern China

Tingting Dai  1 , Jiaxin Wan  1 , Qiuyue Liu  1 , Xiaoyan Liu  2 , Cheng Chen  3
Affiliations

Analysis of breastfeeding status and influencing factors among healthcare workers in Southwestern China

Tingting Dai et al. Int Breastfeed J. .

Abstract

Background: This study aims to evaluate the current status of breastfeeding practices among healthcare workers in Southwest China, identify key factors influencing their exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), and provide targeted recommendations for increasing the EBF rate and prolonging EBF duration in this population.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 685 healthcare workers who were ≥ 6 months postpartum, with data collected from January 2019 to January 2024. The questionnaire included items on general demographics, breastfeeding knowledge, and breastfeeding practices. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) was defined as feeding infants only breast milk from birth, with no other foods or drinks (including water) provided. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing EBF, and based on the results, a nomogram prediction model was constructed and validated using R software.

Results: A total of 685 participants were enrolled in this study, among whom 363 (53.0%) had exclusive breastfeeding durations of less than 5 months (Group A) and 322 (47.0%) continued exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months (Group B). The primary sources of breastfeeding knowledge were the internet and professional consultations, while common barriers included nipple/breast problems and work-related factors. Logistic regression analysis identified four independent factors associated with the continuation of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months (all p < 0.05): parity (OR 1.86; 95%CI 1.35, 2.58), breastfeeding consultations during pregnancy (OR 1.44; 95%CI 1.04, 2.00), three-shift work resumption (OR 1.67; 95%CI 1.32, 2.10), and family support for breastfeeding (OR 1.90; 95%CI 1.07, 3.37). A nomogram prediction model constructed based on these factors showed an area under the ROC curve of 0.75 (95% CI 0.70, 0.81), indicating good predictive performance with high consistency between predicted and observed outcomes.

Conclusion: Healthcare institutions should actively provide breastfeeding consultation services, encourage postpartum healthcare workers to delay participation in shift work, and strengthen breastfeeding education to enhance public awareness. These measures will help improve the exclusive breastfeeding rate among infants under 6 months of age.

Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding; Healthcare workers; Influencing factors; Prediction model; Successful breastfeeding.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Chongqing General Hospital (KY S2023-080-01). All participants provided informed consent. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Conflict of interest: All authors are without conflicts of interest, including specific financial interests, relationships, and affiliations relevant to the subject of their manuscript.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Breastfeeding knowledge and difficulties among participating healthcare workers. (A) Proportion of source of breastfeeding knowledge (%). (B) Proportion of breastfeeding difficulties (%)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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