Predictors of Intention to Breastfeed among Hispanic Women

Predictors of Intention to Breastfeed among Hispanic Women P. Suárez, M. Ward Harvey, MS, L. Chasan-Taber, Sc. D. Division of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, INTRODUCTION • Hispanics comprised 48. 4 million or 15. 8% of the U. S. population, representing the largest ethnic group. • Breastfeeding has well documented benefits for infants and mothers. • Breastfeeding initiation and duration is lower among Hispanic women, as compared to other ethnicities. • There are few studies on predictors of intention to breastfeed, particularly in Hispanic women. • The purpose of this study was to evaluate predictors of intention to breastfeed in Hispanic women. HYPOTHESIS Hispanic woman who are young, of low socioeconomic status, and engaged in risky behaviors during pregnancy are least likely to breastfeed. RESULTS • 274 (64. 6%) of women reported intention to breastfeed. • Women with greater levels of education were more likely to intend to breastfeed (p< 0. 01). • Women who smoked cigarettes prior to pregnancy were less likely to intend to breastfeed (p>0. 02). • No significant association was observed between age, income, health insurance, marital status, living with a spouse or partner, number of children or adults in the household, employment status, psychological acculturation, language preference, and generation in the US and intention to breastfeed. Similarly, alcohol use and cigarette smoking during pregnancy were not associated with intention to breastfeed. p=0. 02 METHODS • N=424 participants in Proyecto Buena Salud (an ongoing prospective cohort of pregnant Hispanic - predominantly Puerto Rican) • Information on socio-demographic, behavioral, and acculturation factors collected in early pregnancy (M=13. 6 weeks gestation). • Psychological acculturation to the US culture was measured by the Psychological Acculturation Scale (PAS). • Breastfeeding intention was abstracted from medical records. Women with greater levels of smoking prior to pregnancy were less likely to intend to breastfeed. CONCLUSIONS p=0. 01 Women with greater levels of education, were more likely to intend to breastfeed. • Educational status and prepregnancy cigarette smoking may be important predictors of breastfeeding intention among Hispanic women. • These results can inform prenatal intervention programs designed to increase breastfeeding. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Funded by NIH/NIDDK 1 R 01 DK 074876 -01 A 1 The majority of women intended to breastfeed (64%)