title: Breast-feeding practices among WIC participants in Hawaii.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe breast-feeding practices and identify correlates of breast-feeding among participants in the Hawaii Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted structured, in-person interviews with 535 women at WIC clinics throughout Hawaii (95% response rate). The interview collected information on maternal characteristics and infant-feeding practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Breast-feeding prevalence was examined by infant age and predictors of infant-feeding method were examined via bivariate tests and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Reported breast-feeding promotion efforts in health care settings outside of WIC were also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most women (82%) attempted to breast-feed, albeit for short durations for many women; of the women who breast-fed in combination with formula feeding, 46% introduced formula within the first week after delivery. Significant predictors of breast-feeding initiation included previous breast-feeding experience, having a close relative or friend who breast-fed, multiparity, Asian/Pacific Island ethnicity (other than Filipino), and being foreign-born. Significant predictors of mixed feeding (vs exclusive breast-feeding) included working or attending school, age less than 20 years, Hawaiian/part Hawaiian or Filipino ethnicity, being Hawaiian-born, and residing in Oahu county.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although most women in this population initiated breast-feeding, formula was usually introduced at an early age. This study identified several factors associated with breast-feeding initiation and exclusive breast-feeding, factors that may prove useful for the development of appropriate interventions to promote these behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga., USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Carmichael
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Prince
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Burr
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nakamoto
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Vogt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006254:Hawaii / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D013997:Time Factors