Exclusive breastfeeding plan of pregnant Southeast Asian women: what encourages them?
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated factors involved in breastfeeding planning of pregnant Asian women.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 207 pregnant women visiting the Budi Kemuliaan Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, between June and August 2011. The planned breastfeeding duration and determinants were sought using a standardized self-reported questionnaire.


RESULTS
Most subjects had low income (84.1%) and education (79.7%). Women who had been informed about breastfeeding had a higher likelihood to plan longer (≥6 months) breastfeeding (odds ratio [OR] 1.97; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-3.75; p=0.04), whereas women who had breastfed previous children over a shorter period had a lower likelihood (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.11-0.59; p=0.001). Age, low education level, first pregnancy, and low income had no association with breastfeeding plans. Working mothers who had to return to work before 6 months and worked for >8 hours/day were less likely to plan longer breastfeeding (OR 0.14; 95% CI 0.02-0.83; p=0.03 vs. OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.17-1.63; p=0.27), whereas those intending to express their milk were more likely to breastfeed longer (OR 16.85; 95% CI 4.21-67.48; p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Planning of prolonged breastfeeding has little to do with maternal age, education, or number of pregnancies. However, mothers who work, who had previously breastfed for a short period, and who are not well informed about breastfeeding tend to plan shorter breastfeeding. Among mothers who work, it is the length of maternal leave and required working hours that determine the plans.
Center of Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence Based Medicine and Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia , Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. n.s.idris@students.uu.nl
Nikmah Salamia
NS
Idris
Sudigdo
S
Sastroasmoro
Fatimah
F
Hidayati
Irma
I
Sapriani
Rulina
R
Suradi
Diederick E
DE
Grobbee
Cuno S P M
CS
Uiterwaal
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D033182:Intention; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009042:Motivation; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D062707:Return to Work / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors