Abstract
Objectives Recent breastfeeding studies from immigration countries have found that acculturation factors influence breastfeeding behaviour in women with a migration background. To date, there has been no systematic investigation for Germany. Therefore, we study whether and how the degree of acculturation within a population of migrant women influences the start, time and duration of breastfeeding. Patient Population and Methodology Pregnant women who were admitted to one of the three participating maternity clinics in Berlin for the birth of their child in the one-year study period were surveyed (including sociodemographic details, data on migration/acculturation). These women were interviewed again two or three days post partum (including start of breastfeeding, planned breastfeeding duration, reasons for not breastfeeding). In a subgroup, a telephone interview took place 6 months post partum about the actual breastfeeding duration, contraceptive behaviour post partum and availing of midwife services following delivery. Breastfeeding behaviour was analysed using multivariate regression models, among other things. Results The prepartum survey included 7100 women, 6884 women were contacted in the postnatal wards, and the subgroup six months after delivery comprised 605 women. No acculturation-related differences were found in the start of breastfeeding. In the adjusted model, a medium and higher degree of acculturation diminished the chance of planning a long breastfeeding period. More acculturated women show a greater risk of weaning within the first six months than less acculturated women. Conclusion The degree of acculturation has relevant significance for some aspects of breastfeeding behaviour in women with a migration background. This should be considered both in breastfeeding promotion programmes and in further national breastfeeding studies.
Highlights
The physiological nutritional advantages of breastmilk for the new-born, preventive aspects of breastfeeding for the babys and mothers health as well as promotion of the emotional motherbaby bonding by breastfeeding are proven [1]
No acculturation-related differences were found in the start of breastfeeding
Examples include the studies by Rassin et al (1994) and Gorman et al (2007), who confirmed the “Latina paradox”, a familiar phenomenon in migration research, for the breastfeeding rate in women of Hispanic origin in the US: the breastfeeding rate was highest in less acculturated women from Latin America, while women of Hispanic origin with a higher degree of acculturation showed the lowest breastfeeding rate [11, 12]
Summary
The physiological nutritional advantages of breastmilk for the new-born, preventive aspects of breastfeeding for the babys and mothers health as well as promotion of the emotional motherbaby bonding by breastfeeding are proven [1]. Recent breastfeeding studies from other immigration countries [7 – 9] likewise emphasise the influence of a migration background on breastfeeding behaviour. A further influencing factor, though one not so far considered in German breastfeeding studies, might be the (changing) degree of acculturation of women with a migration background – otherwise, the reported advantageous breastfeeding behaviour of migrant women would be sustained. Acculturation describes the process of how persons with a migration background confront both the culture of their country of origin or of their parentsorigin and the culture of the country of immigration. Acculturation phenomena have intensively preoccupied epidemiological and clinically oriented migration research in recent years, and this included consideration of the acculturation aspects of breastfeeding behaviour. A higher degree of acculturation appears to be negatively associated with the intention to breastfeed and breastfeeding duration [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
