Immigration and factors associated with breastfeeding. CALINA study

Abstract

Abstract Objective To identify socio-cultural, obstetric and perinatal characteristics associated with complete breastfeeding (CBF) during the first 4 months of life, depending on maternal origin. Materials and methods Socio-cultural, obstetric and perinatal aspects associated with breastfeeding depending on maternal origin were evaluated in a longitudinal study in a representative infant population from Aragon ( n = 1452). Results The prevalence of CBF was higher in immigrant mothers than in those from Spain. CBF was maintained in 37.2% of the mothers from Spain at 4 months, compared with 43% of the immigrants ( p = 0.039) (RR Spanish/immigrants = 0.76; 95% CI : 0.58–0.99); at 6 months this occurred in 13.9% vs. 23.8%, respectively ( p p = 0.002), have higher academic level ( p = 0.001), greater parity ( p = 0.003), and a higher probability of vaginal delivery ( p = 0.005), and their children have the highest anthropometric values at birth. However, in immigrant mothers, the maintenance of CBF was associated with a higher maternal body mass index and with working at home. In both groups, CBF remains more frequently in those mothers who do not smoke ( p = 0.001). Conclusions The prevalence of CBF during the first months of life is higher in immigrant mothers than in those from Spain, and socio-cultural, obstetric and perinatal factors are different, depending on maternal origin.