Breastfeeding rates at an urban medical university after initiation of an educational program.
BACKGROUND
Our objective was to improve breastfeeding initiation rates at an urban medical center.


METHODS
A breastfeeding educational program for health care providers was developed and implemented in 1995. The outcome variable of interest was the change in breastfeeding initiation rate during 2 periods, 1993-1994 and 1996 to 1999, stratified by weight (> 2,000, 1,500 to 2,000, and < 1,500 g).


RESULTS
The breastfeeding initiation rate in 1996 to 1999 for all mothers of newborns admitted to the hospital was 47.1% (4,107/8,724), compared with the 1993-1994 rate of 18.9% (816/4,315). During the second period, the breastfeeding rate among mothers of infants < 1,500 g was 60.8% (468/770), compared with 19.2% (56/293) during the earlier study period. Stratified by weight, the greatest improvement in rates of breastfeeding initiation and at discharge was seen with mothers of preterm infants.


CONCLUSIONS
A breastfeeding educational program that interfaced with medical staff and mothers at an urban medical university was associated with increased rates of breastfeeding initiation.
Wagner
Carol L
CL
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
Hulsey
Thomas C
TC
Southgate
W Michael
WM
Annibale
David J
DJ
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors