Initiation of breastfeeding and prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge in urban, suburban and rural areas of Zhejiang China.

Liqian Qiu,Colin W Binns,Xing Xie,Yun Zhao,Andy H Lee

doi:10.1186/1746-4358-4-1

Abstract

BackgroundRates of exclusive breastfeeding in China are relatively low and below national targets. The aim of this study was to document the factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding initiation in Zhejiang, PR China.MethodsA cohort study of infant feeding practices was undertaken in Zhejiang Province, an eastern coastal region of China. A total of 1520 mothers who delivered in four hospitals located in city, suburb and rural areas during late 2004 to 2005 were enrolled in the study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors related to exclusive breastfeeding initiation.ResultsOn discharge from hospital, 50.3% of the mothers were exclusively breastfeeding their infants out of 96.9% of the mothers who had earlier initiated breastfeeding. Exclusive breastfeeding was positively related to vaginal birth, baby's first feed being breast milk, mother living in the suburbs or rural areas, younger age of mother, lower maternal education level and family income.ConclusionThe exclusive breastfeeding rate in Zhejiang is only 50.3% on discharge and does not reach Chinese or international targets. A number of behaviours have been identified in the study that could be potentially incorporated into health promotion activities.

Highlights

Rates of exclusive breastfeeding in China are relatively low and below national targets
A number of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in China showed that the 'ever breastfed' rate, both in urban and rural areas was over 80% in the 1950s and 1960s
No significant differences in the 'any breastfeeding' rates were found between the city, suburban and rural areas

Summary

Introduction

Rates of exclusive breastfeeding in China are relatively low and below national targets. The aim of this study was to document the factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding initiation in Zhejiang, PR China. A recent cohort study from Shanghai suggests that breastfeeding may offer a mother some protection against developing Type II diabetes [8]. A number of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in China showed that the 'ever breastfed' rate, both in urban and rural areas was over 80% in the 1950s and 1960s. During the 1970s and 80s the use of breast milk substitutes became more popular and the national 'ever breastfed' rate decreased, gradually dropping from about 80% in the 1960s to 42.7% in 1975 and it fell further to 33.6% in 1985 [10]. The trend was even more marked in the large cities such as Shanghai, where the rate fell to 22.2% in 1982 and again to 13% in 1989 [10,11]

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Conclusion