Health of infant is the main reason for breast-feeding in a WIC population in Hawaii.
OBJECTIVE
To determine factors influencing infant feeding method choices among women who received services from the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during pregnancy in Hawaii.


METHODS
A retrospective survey mailed to all resident mothers who had live births in Hawaii between January 1, 1989, and March 31, 1989, and who received WIC services during pregnancy.


METHODS
The state of Hawaii.


METHODS
The subjects were 322 mothers who received WIC services during pregnancy for whom data were complete, taken from a sample of 2,013 women who had live births in the state of Hawaii (51% response rate) between January 1, 1989, and March 31, 1989, of whom 324 participated in WIC during pregnancy.


METHODS
Infant feeding method (exclusive breast, exclusive formula or mixed) at hospital discharge.


METHODS
The chi 2 analysis for differences among feeding method groups and multiple logistic regression to calculate odds ratios for independent effects of maternal characteristics and other influences on feeding method choice.


RESULTS
Reasons for infant feeding choice, timing of the choice, maternal age, parity, and place of residence were the main factor influencing infant method choice. Health of the infant was the primary reason for choice of feeding method and was the strongest determinant of exclusive breast-feeding (odds ratio = 23.99; confidence interval = 9.75-59.02; P < .0001) and was negatively related to the choice to formula-feed (odds ratio = 0.03; confidence interval = 0.01-0.08; P < .0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Relationship between WIC and hospital lactation consultants could enhance follow up in the hospital and after returning home with WIC mothers who prenatally state an intention to breast-feed. Convenience and bonding are aspects of breast-feeding enjoyed by WIC mothers in Hawaii that could be used in breast-feeding promotion efforts.
Novotny
R
R
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu 96822.
Kieffer
E C
EC
Mor
J
J
Thiele
M
M
Nikaido
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000523:psychology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003657:Decision Making; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity; D005220:Fathers; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services; D006254:Hawaii; D006801:Humans; D007229:Infant Welfare; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010298:Parity; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D044465:White People