title: WIC mothers' social environment and postpartum health on breastfeeding initiation and duration.
abstract: A low breastfeeding rate has been a consistent maternal and child health problem in the United States, especially for low-income families. Understanding mothers' social environment and overall well-being is important in determining how mothers will take care of themselves and their infants during the postnatal period in relation to the breastfeeding rate among low-income mothers. In this study, we examined the effects of the social environment of mothers enrolled in a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in eastern Illinois and their postpartum health on breastfeeding initiation (n=103) and maintaining breastfeeding for at least 3 months (n=73). Using logistic regression models, a significant positive association (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=3.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-10.47; p=0.03) between marital status and breastfeeding initiation and a significant negative association (AOR=0.23; 95% CI, 0.06-0.88) between receiving food stamps and breastfeeding initiation were found. WIC mothers who were married were 4.1 times as likely to maintain any breastfeeding for at least 3 months than single mothers, and the association was significant (AOR=4.08; 95% CI, 1.36-12.27; p=0.01). The breastfeeding initiation rate was 77.7%, however, the mean±standard deviation age of the child when breastfeeding stopped was 2.2±1.4 months. There was a nonsignificant association between postpartum depression and breastfeeding initiation and maintaining any breastfeeding for 3 months. This study has shown that the familial environment of mothers plays a very important role in improving breastfeeding rates among WIC mothers. In addition, there is a negative relationship between using a food assistance program and breastfeeding among low-income women.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana, Illinois.
authors.forename: Sandra Asantewaa
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Darfour-Oduro
authors.forename: Juhee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002755:Choice Behavior; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011632:Public Assistance; D012923:Social Class; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology