Racial/ethnic differences in the decision to breastfeed among adolescent mothers.
OBJECTIVE
To identify racial/ethnic differences in prevalence and the factors that influence decisions to breastfeed among adolescent mothers.


METHODS
A total of 696 Mexican-American, African-American, and Caucasian adolescent mothers </=18 years of age were interviewed on the postpartum ward of university hospital within 48 hours of delivery. Self-reported factors associated with the decision to breastfeed were assessed.


RESULTS
The decision to breastfeed was reported by 55% of Mexican-American, 45% of Caucasian, and 15% of African-American adolescent mothers. With the exception of perceived benefits of breastfeeding and exposure to educational materials, most factors associated with breastfeeding differed by race/ethnicity. Among Mexican-Americans, important factors included having relied on feeding advice (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 7.6); the feeding preference of a partner (AOR = 7.0) or mother (AOR = 6. 6); and feeding decisions made in early pregnancy (AOR = 4.7). Among African-Americans, important factors included living with a partner (AOR = 10.6); having a mother who breastfed (AOR = 5.9); the feeding preference of a partner (AOR = 5.6) or health care provider (AOR = 4. 7); and low family support (AOR = 3.4). Among Caucasians, health care providers' feeding preference (AOR = 6.1); having two or more breastfeeding role models (AOR = 4.1); not being enrolled in Women, Infants, and Children's Supplemental Nutrition Program (AOR = 3.0); having relied on infant-feeding advice (AOR = 3.0); and prenatal alcohol use (AOR = 2.6) were associated with the decision to breastfeed.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence and influences to breastfeed differ by patient race/ethnicity. We speculate that targeting the adolescent mother and members of her support system, educating them before and during pregnancy, and stressing benefits of this method while eliminating misinformation, especially among African-Americans, may be important intervention strategies to promote breastfeeding.
Wiemann
C M
CM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0587, USA.
DuBois
J C
JC
Berenson
A B
AB
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013781:Texas; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data