Journal article
Predictors of breast-feeding in a developing country: results of a prospective cohort study
Public health nutrition, Vol.11(12), pp.1350-1356
12/2008
DOI: 10.1017/S1368980008003005
PMID: 18702836
Abstract
Objective: Data on the prevalence and predictors of breast-feeding remain scarce in Lebanon. Moreover, no study has previously addressed the effect of the paediatrician's sex on breast-feeding. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of breast-feeding at 1 and 4 months of infant age while exploring the potential role of the sex of the paediatrician.
Design: Prospective cohort study. Predictors of breast-feeding significant at the bivariate level were tested at 1 and 4 months through two stepwise regression models.
Setting: Infants were enrolled through the clinics and dispensaries of 117 paediatricians located in Beirut, Lebanon, and its suburbs.
Subjects: A total of 1,320 healthy newborn infants born between August 2001 and February 2002 were prospectively followed during the first year.
Findings: Breast-feeding rates at 1 and 4 months were 56.3 % and 24.7 %, respectively. Early discharge, high parity and religion were significantly associated with higher breast-feeding rates at 1 and 4 months of age. Maternal age proved significant only at 1 month, while maternal working status and sex of the paediatrician were significant at 4 months. A novel finding of our study was the positive effect of female paediatricians on breast-feeding continuation until 4 months of age (OR = 1.49; 95 % CI 1.03, 2.15).
Conclusions: Breast-feeding rates are low at 1 and 4 months of infant age in Beirut. Further research to investigate the interactions between female physicians and lactating mothers in maintaining breast-feeding in other populations is warranted. The results constitute the basis for designing interventions targeting policy makers, health professionals and mothers.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Predictors of breast-feeding in a developing country: results of a prospective cohort study
- Creators
- Ban Al-Sahab - 1School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, CanadaHala Tamim - 1School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, CanadaGhina Mumtaz - 2Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, PO Box 11-0236 Riad El Solh, Beirut 11072020, LebanonMarwan Khawaja - 3Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonMustafa Khogali - 4School of Medicine, Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman, SudanRima Afifi - 5Department of Health Behavior and Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonYolla Nassif - 6Department of Pediatrics, Saint-Georges Hospital, Beirut, LebanonKhalid A Yunis - 2Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, PO Box 11-0236 Riad El Solh, Beirut 11072020, Lebanon
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Public health nutrition, Vol.11(12), pp.1350-1356
- DOI
- 10.1017/S1368980008003005
- PMID
- 18702836
- NLM abbreviation
- Public Health Nutr
- ISSN
- 1368-9800
- eISSN
- 1475-2727
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press; Cambridge, UK
- Number of pages
- 7
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/2008
- Academic Unit
- Injury Prevention Research Center; Community and Behavioral Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984063142702771
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