title: The effect of a peer counseling program on breastfeeding initiation and longevity in a low-income rural population.
abstract: Breastfeeding rates among low-income women in the east-south-central United States are among the lowest in the country. This study examined the effect of a peer counseling program on breastfeeding initiation and duration in a low-income rural population in West Tennessee. A postpartum survey and chart review were conducted with WIC clients at nine health departments. Response rate was 99% (291/293). Breastfeeding initiation and duration at 6 weeks were increased in the peer counselor group (n = 156) compared with women in the no-peer counselor group (n = 135) (53% vs. 33%, p < 0.001, and 26% vs. 13%, p = 0.006, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that women in the peer counselor group were significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding (OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.23-4.67) and to be breastfeeding at 6 weeks (OR = 2.78, 95% CI = 2.08-9.51), than those in the no-peer counselor group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaczorowski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011203:Poverty; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012423:Rural Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013714:Tennessee; D013997:Time Factors