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.
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
Carol L
CL
Wagner
Thomas C
TC
Hulsey
W Michael
WM
Southgate
David J
DJ
Annibale
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