Initiation of breastfeeding lessons from Taiwan.
A study undertaken in Taiwan in 2001 is reported here with the aim of improving understanding about the socio-cultural factors that may affect a woman's decisions about infant feeding.


OBJECTIVE
to determine the current status of infant feeding and the influences of basic sociodemographic characteristics and social support, as well as maternal knowledge and attitudes about breastfeeding.


METHODS
A questionnaire including sociological, psychological and medical variables was completed by 195 mothers who were also interviewed individually in the maternity hospital. The mothers were divided into three groups: exclusive breastfeeding group, exclusive bottle feeding group, and mixed-feeding group.


RESULTS
The independent factors that increased the ikelihood of formula feeding during the first one to two months of life included (1) mothers were employed, (2) delivery by Cesarean section, (3) grandmothers or other people were the main child caretakers, (4) mothers did not attend the educational courses, and (5) lack of encouragement by the husband.


CONCLUSIONS
Health professionals and policy makers should be aware of the factors that affect a woman's decisions about infant feeding including cultural background and media coverage.
Chen
Li-Hui
LH
Department of Social Science, Southampton Solent University.
Liu
Chih-Kuang
CK
Merrett
Colin
C
Chuo
Ying-Hsiang
YH
Wan
Kong-Sang
KS
D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002585:Cesarean Section; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012945:Social Values; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology