BREASTFEEDING: KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION, AND INTENTION TO PRACTICE AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN EKITI, SOUTHWEST NIIGERIA.

Introduction Breastfeeding is a public health practice that is critical for the survival of infants and young children. This study aimed at determining the knowledge, attitude, and future intention to breastfeed among female undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria. Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 1312 female students of the tertiary institutions in Ekiti State. By convenience sampling, female students were invited to participate in the study after giving verbal consent and those studying medical, nursing, and other courses allied to medicine were excluded. Internal consistency of the data obtained from this research instrument was determined using Cronbach’s coefficient Alpha with a reliability value of 0.82. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics were computed. Results were summarized as frequencies and percentages. The differences in knowledge, attitude, and intention to practice breastfeeding as well as other responses among the participants were compared among age groups, faculties and the sources of information using Chi-square test. Result Although 93% of the respondents agreed that breast milk is important for the development of the infant’s brain thereby demonstrating good knowledge; 51.6% of the respondents demonstrated poor perception to breastfeeding believing breastfeeding makes the breast to sag while only 34% of the respondents indicated their intention to breastfeed their future babies. Conclusion The intention to breastfeed among our study participants was poor. This study revealed the need to increase awareness about breastfeeding and its benefits among this huge population of future mothers.

Promoting Safe Sleep, Tobacco Cessation and Breastfeeding to Rural Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Safe Sleep Community Baby Showers address strategies to prevent sleep-related infant deaths. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these events transitioned from in-person to virtual. OBJECTIVE This study seeks to describe the outcomes of transitioning Safe Sleep Community Baby Showers to a virtual format and comparing outcomes to previous in-person events. METHODS Participants from four rural Kansas counties were emailed the pre-survey, provided educational materials (videos, live-stream or digital documents), and completed a post-survey. Those who completed both surveys received a portable crib and wearable blanket. Within group comparisons were assessed between pre- and post-surveys; between group comparisons (virtual vs in-person) were assessed by post-surveys. RESULTS Based on data from 74 virtual and 143 in-person participants, virtual participants were more likely to be married (p<.001), have private insurance (p<.001), and less likely to report tobacco use (p<.001). Both event formats significantly increased knowledge and intentions regarding safe sleep and avoidance of second-hand smoke (all p≤.001). Breastfeeding intentions did not change. Differences were observed between virtual and in-person participants regarding confidence in ability to avoid second-hand smoke (72% vs 84%; p=.031), intention to breastfeed ≥6 months (79% vs 62%; p=.008) and confidence in ability to breastfeed ≥6 months (64% vs 47%; p=.02). CONCLUSIONS While both event formats demonstrated increase knowledge/intentions to follow safe sleep recommendations, virtual events may further marginalize groups who are high risk for poor birth outcomes. Strategies to increase technology access, recruit priority populations and ensure disparities are not enhanced will be critical for implementation of future virtual events.

Breastfeeding in women with rheumatic diseases

ObjectiveMany rheumatologists and women with rheumatic disease worry that the disease or treatment will prevent breast feeding. International guidelines establish, however, that most antirheumatic medications are compatible with breast feeding. We sought to identify the frequency and predictors of desire to and actually breast feeding in women with rheumatic diseases.MethodsPregnant women with rheumatic disease were enrolled prospectively. Demographics and breastfeeding intention were collected at study entry, while actual breastfeeding decision was recorded postpartum. Maternal diagnosis, demographics and medication use was collected throughout the study. Predictors of breast feeding and intention were identified using stepwise logistic regression.ResultsA total of 265 pregnancies were included in the study, 88 with SLE, 33 with undifferentiated connective tissue disease, 100 with arthritis and 44 with other rare rheumatic diagnoses. Of these, 79% intended to breastfeed, 84% of women ever breast fed and 65% were still breast feeding at an average of 7.6 weeks postpartum. Medication concern was the most commonly cited reason not to breastfeed though only 5% of women were taking or planning to start a non-lactation compatible medication at their postpartum visit. In multivariate analysis, women with a college degree were more likely and women with SLE were less likely to intend to breastfeed. Actual breast feeding was most strongly predicted by the woman’s intention to breastfeed, but also increased with maternal age, decreased if the baby was born preterm and decreased the further the postpartum appointment occurred from delivery.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the majority of women with rheumatic disease want to and can breastfeed successfully. Additionally, very few women required a medication that was not compatible with breast feeding to control their rheumatic disease in the postpartum period. Despite this, an important minority of patients did not continue breast feeding due to their personal concerns about the risks of antirheumatic medications to their infant.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Barriers to Breastfeeding in Adolescent Mothers: a Review

Introduction: Despite the proven benefits of breastfeeding, there are a variety of reasons why many women do not, or cannot, breastfeed their children. Adolescent mothers are even less likely to breastfeed than non-adolescent mothers. The aim of this review was to synthesize the current literature on breastfeeding practices in adolescent mothers and explore the factors influencing their breastfeeding decisions. Methods: A literature search was conducted in January 2018 using PubMed. Studies were included in the review if they discussed adolescent mothers’ views and experiences of breastfeeding or if they reporting breastfeeding rates among adolescent mothers. For this review, adolescence was defined as the ages between 13 and 21. Results: Of the 19 studies selected, each study was summarized and analyzed to determine that the proportion of adolescent mothers who breastfeed is lower than non-adolescent mothers: 31-100% initiated breastfeeding, 17-64% breastfed exclusively, and more than half stopped within the first month. Intention to breastfeed, social support and maternity care support were positive predictors of breastfeeding behaviors. Although significant effects of the interventions aimed at improving breastfeeding rates was revealed by this review, findings also indicated analytical themes related to adolescents’ breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and barriers that are unique to their age group. Conclusions: This review highlights that adolescents have limited breastfeeding knowledge, unique attitudes, and face a variety of barriers to breastfeeding, including returning to school, social stigma, the physical demands of breastfeeding and unease with the act of breastfeeding. These findings indicate that developmentally sensitive education and support is fundamental to effective interventions aimed to increase breastfeeding rates among adolescent mothers.

Factors that influence mothers’ prenatal decision to breastfeed in Spain

Background Parents’ decisions about how to feed their newborns are influenced by multiple factors. Our objective was to identify the factors that can influence the decision to breastfeed. Methods Cross-sectional observational online study was conducted in Spain on women who gave birth between 2013 and 2018. The total number of participants was 5671. Data collection was after approval by the ethics committee in 2019. The data were collected retrospectively because the information was obtained from women who were mothers during the years 2013–2018. An online survey was distributed to breastfeeding associations and postpartum groups. Multivariate analysis with binary logistic regression was done to calculate the Adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR). The main result variable was “intention to breastfeed”. Results Ninety-seven percent (n = 5531) of women made the decision to breastfeed prior to giving birth. The internet played a role in deciding to breastfeed in 33.7% (n = 2047) of women, while 20.1% (n = 1110) said the same thing about their midwife. We identified five significant factors associated with the mother’s prenatal decision to breastfeed: attending maternal education (aOR 2.10; 95% CI 1.32, 3.34), having two (aOR 0.52; 95% CI 0.28, 0.99) and three children (aOR 0.24; 95% CI 0.10, 0.59), previous breastfeeding experience (aOR 6.99; 95% CI 3.46, 14.10), support from partner (aOR 1.58; 95% CI 1.09,2.28) and having a condition during pregnancy (aOR 0.62; 95% CI 0.43, 0.91). Conclusions Factors related with previous breastfeeding experience and education for mothers are decisive when it comes to making the decision to breastfeed. Given the proven influence that partners have in decision-making, it is important for them to be fully involved in the process.

Intention to Breastfeed Among Female Students of Tertiary Institutions In Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria.

Introduction: Breastfeeding is a public health practice that is critical for the survival of infants and young children. Despite the well documented advantages of breastfeeding to both the child and mother, it is surprising to note that the rate of breastfeeding especially exclusive breastfeeding is quite low in many countries. The possible reason may be because most of the efforts and activities directed at improving the breastfeeding rate and duration are targeted at pregnant women and post-partum period.This study aimed at determining the knowledge, attitude, beliefs, and future intention to breastfeed among female undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Ekiti State, South West Nigeria.Methods: The study was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted among female students of tertiary institutions in Ekiti State. By convenience sampling, female students were invited to participate in the study after giving verbal consent and those that were thirty years old and above, medical or nursing students were excluded. The questionnaire used for this study was self-administered. The proforma was designed to assess the students’ knowledge about breastfeeding, attitude, beliefs, and future intention towards breastfeeding.Data analysis was with SPSS version 25 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results were summarized as percentages. Consensus index was calculated for the questions on the knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding and the perception of breastfeeding.Result: One thousand, three hundred and twelve (1312) students participated in the study. Only 58% of the respondents defined exclusive breastfeeding correctly. The participants displayed a particularly good knowledge of the importance of breast milk for the brain growth as 93% of the respondents agreed that breast milk is important for the development of the infant’s brain. As much as 51% of the respondents agreed that breast milk is not needed after infancy. Only 34% of the respondents indicated their intention to breastfeed their future babies, 6.5% said no.Conclusion: This study revealed that most of the future mothers have poor knowledge and beliefs about breastfeeding as well as negative attitude toward breastfeeding, hence there is need to step up awareness about breastfeeding and its benefits among this huge population of future mothers.

Examination of weight status, parity and maternal education factors on intentions to breastfeed and breastfeeding duration in an Irish cohort.

IntroductionBreastfeeding can improve health outcomes for mothers and babies and is an important factor in the reduction of obesity. However, breastfeeding rates in Ireland are amongst the lowest internationally, with rates of 59.9% in 2016.Materials & MethodsThe objective of this study was to assess intention to breastfeed at booking, feeding status at hospital discharge, one and three months postnatal and influencing factors.Secondary data from 124 healthy pregnant women participating in an RCT in the National Maternity Hospital who recorded their intention to breastfeed at booking were included. Observational data including demographic and lifestyle data was collected from participants.ResultsOf the 124 women, 80.7% were Irish, 86.2% had achieved third level education, and 43.5% (n = 54) were multiparous. Mean age was 32.7years and mean BMI 24.9kg/m2. 91.1% (n = 113) reported intending to breastfeed at booking. Upon hospital discharge, 91% of those intending to breastfeed had initiated breastfeeding (n = 101/111). 78.6% (n = 77/98) and 66.7% (n = 58/87) of those who had intended to breastfeed remained breastfeeding at one and three months postnatal respectively. Intention to breastfeed in early pregnancy was significantly higher amongst women with third level education (p < 0.001). Intention to breastfeed did not differ significantly with maternal age, ethnicity, BMI, or parity, however, women who had breastfed previously were more likely to intend to breastfeed for future infants (p < 0.001). Women with higher education were more likely to breastfeed at discharge, one and three months postnatal (p < 0.05). Although maternal BMI was not associated with intention to breastfeed, women who did not initiate breastfeeding at hospital discharge had a significantly higher BMI (M = 27.22kg/m2, SD = 4.53, p = 0.018) compared to women who initiated breastfeeding (M = 24.68kg/m2, SD = 3.05). Similarly, of those intending to breastfeed, women who were not breastfeeding at three months postnatal had a significantly higher BMI (M = 26.33kg/m2, SD = 3.99, p = 0.01) than those continuing breastfeeding (M = 24.08kg/m2, SD = 2.61). There were no significant differences regarding feeding status with maternal ethnicity, age, or parity at discharge and one month postnatal (p > 0.05). However, primiparous women intending to breastfeed were significantly more likely to continue breastfeeding at three months compared to multiparous women (p < 0.05).DiscussionMany factors are shown to influence breastfeeding intention and duration including parity, education and BMI. It is important to identify these potentially inhibiting factors during pregnancy to develop support measures to encourage initiation and continuation of breastfeeding.

Cultural adaptation of Infant Feeding Intentions Scale (IFI) for pregnant women in Brazil

ABSTRACT Objectives: to translate and culturally adapt the Infant Feeding Intentions Scale for pregnant women in Brazil. Methods: methodological study that included stages of translation, synthesis, face and content validation, back translation and semantic assessment. In the face and content and semantic validation stages, we used the Content Validity Index for individual items and for the overall scale for clarity and representativeness. Results: nine (100.0%) experts participated in face and content validation, and the average index obtained was 85.0% for representativeness. In the semantic assessment, performed with 31 (100.0%) pregnant women, the tool was considered clear, obtaining an average index of 91.0%. Conclusions: the Brazilian version of the scale was considered representative and clear. After assessing psychometric properties, the scale is expected to be valid and reliable to assess maternal intention to breastfeed exclusively until the infant’s six months of life in different Brazilian settings.