title: Feeding preferences and attitudes to breastfeeding and its promotion among teenagers in Northern Ireland.
abstract: Northern Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding initiation rates in the world. Given that attitudes toward infant feeding are formed at an early age and a high rate of teenage pregnancy, it has become necessary to survey attitudes to infant feeding and breastfeeding promotion preferences in teenagers in Northern Ireland. Questionnaires were distributed to teenagers aged 14 to 18 years (n = 419) based in 7 schools selected by type and location throughout Northern Ireland. Attitudes to breastfeeding in public reflected preferred infant-feeding method and were positively influenced by prior exposure to breastfeeding (P = .024). Females were more positive than males both in relation to breastfeeding in public (P = .002) and breastfeeding promotion (P = .003). Recommendations for breastfeeding promotion include specific targeting of young people (both male and female) and enabling contact between teenagers and nursing mothers as much as possible.
authors.affiliation: University of Ulster.
authors.forename: Jacinta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stewart-Knox
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D009660:Northern Ireland; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires