title: Women's intentions to breastfeed: a population-based cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Given that intention to breastfeed is a strong predictor of breastfeeding initiation and duration, the objectives of this study were to estimate the population-based prevalence and the factors associated with the intention to breastfeed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective population-based cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  All hospitals in Ontario, Canada (1 April 2009-31 March 2010).
  
  
  METHODS
  Women who gave birth to live, term, singletons/twins.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient, healthcare provider, and hospital factors that may be associated with intention to breastfeed were analysed using univariable and multivariable regression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based prevalence of intention to breastfeed and its associated factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 92,364 women, of whom 78,806 (85.3%) intended to breastfeed. The odds of intending to breastfeed were higher amongst older women with no health problems and women who were cared for exclusively by midwives (adjusted OR 3.64, 95% CI 3.13-4.23). Being pregnant with twins (adjusted OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.57-0.94), not attending antenatal classes (adjusted OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.54-0.62), having previous term or preterm births (adjusted OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.78-0.81, and adjusted OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.82-0.93, respectively), and delivering in a level-1 hospital (adjusted OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.77-0.93) were associated with a lower intention to breastfeed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this population-based study ~85% of women intended to breastfeed their babies. Key factors that are associated with the intention to breastfeed were identified, which can now be targeted for intervention programmes aimed at increasing the prevalence of breastfeeding and improving overall child and maternal health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lutsiv
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pullenayegum
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vera
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giglia
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fusch
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008423:Maternal Age; D009864:Ontario; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000523:psychology; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Breastfeeding; intention; population-based; prevalence