title: Factors Associated with Infant Feeding Methods after the Nuclear Power Plant Accident in Fukushima: Data from the Pregnancy and Birth Survey for the Fiscal Year 2011 Fukushima Health Management Survey.
abstract: Objectives The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of and factors associated with infant feeding methods after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident using data from the Fukushima Health Management Survey. Methods We conducted an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey of 16,001 women who gave birth around the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake and registered their pregnancies at Fukushima Prefecture municipal offices between August 1, 2010 and July 31, 2011. The responses of 8366 women were analyzed. Chi square tests and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to compare various factors between women who had formula-fed their children because of concern regarding radioactive contamination or other reasons and those who had breastfed exclusively. Results The percentage of women who had breastfed exclusively was 30.9 %. The percentage of women who had both breastfed and formula-fed or formula-fed exclusively was 69.1 %, of which 20.3 % formula-fed because of concern regarding radioactive contamination of breast milk. The use of formula feeding because of concern about radioactive contamination was significantly higher in women who had resided within the evacuation area and those whose regular antenatal care had been interrupted. The use of formula feeding for other reasons was significantly higher in women who had resided within the evacuation area and lower for those who had willingly switched to another medical institution. Conclusions for Practice Our results suggest the importance of providing breastfeeding support to women who are forced to evacuate or whose antenatal care is interrupted after a disaster.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, 960-1295, Japan. kayokoi@fmu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Kayoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.affiliation: Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, 960-1295, Japan.|Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Aya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.affiliation: Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, 960-1295, Japan.|Department of Midwifery and Maternal Nursing, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Misao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ota
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yasumura
authors.affiliation: Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, 960-1295, Japan.
authors.forename: Masafumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.affiliation: Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, 960-1295, Japan.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Keiya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujimori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001477:Bartter Syndrome; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D004190:Disasters; D005248:Feeding Methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D062406:Fukushima Nuclear Accident; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D055848:Nuclear Power Plants; D011247:Pregnancy; D064466:Solute Carrier Family 12, Member 1; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D064466:Solute Carrier Family 12, Member 1
keywords: Breastfeeding; Disaster; Formula feeding; Fukushima nuclear accident; Infant feeding methods