School of Business, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, China.
China Development Research Foundation, Beijing, China.
Int Breastfeed J. 2021 Sep 23;16(1):71. doi: 10.1186/s13006-021-00416-x.
The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is suboptimal in China. There is limited evidence of effective interventions to increase EBF in China. Therefore, it is urgent to explore the potential factors that may be effective in promoting exclusive breastfeeding. Previous studies have mainly focused on socio-demographic factors and the Han ethnic group. This study explores more modifiable influencing factors of EBF in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China.
The cross-sectional data used in this study were collected to provide baseline information on EBF prevalence for a breastfeeding promotion project. A total of 494 mothers of infants aged 0-5 months were recruited from nine community health centres in Nanning, China, in October 2019. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires. Infant feeding was measured by 24-h recall. The Chinese version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form was used to examine the maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine the factors associated with EBF practices.
In the present study, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 37.0%. Higher breastfeeding self-efficacy scores (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25, 2.98), a college degree or above (AOR 2.15; 95% CI 1.24, 3.71), and early initiation of breastfeeding (AOR 2.06; 95% CI 1.29, 3.29) were positively associated with EBF practice. However, the preparation for infant formula before childbirth (AOR 0.30; 95% CI 0.17, 0.52) and premature birth (AOR 0.30; 95% CI 0.10, 0.87) were negatively associated with EBF practice.
Exclusive breastfeeding practice was suboptimal and associated with various factors in the study area. The prevalence of EBF was positively associated with higher breastfeeding self-efficacy, education level of mothers, and early initiation of breastfeeding, whereas premature birth and preparation for infant formula before childbirth were barriers to exclusive breastfeeding. Future intervention projects should target mothers with premature babies, lower levels of education, and breastfeeding self-efficacy. Breastfeeding-friendly practices, such as the early initiation of breastfeeding and regulations on breastmilk substitutes, should also be encouraged.
中国纯母乳喂养（EBF）的流行率不理想。在中国，几乎没有有效干预措施增加 EBF 的证据。因此，迫切需要探索可能有助于促进纯母乳喂养的潜在因素。先前的研究主要集中在社会人口因素和汉族群体。本研究旨在探索中国广西壮族自治区 EBF 的更多可改变影响因素。
本研究使用的横断面数据旨在为母乳喂养促进项目提供 EBF 流行率的基线信息。2019 年 10 月，在中国南宁的 9 个社区卫生中心共招募了 494 名 0-5 月龄婴儿的母亲。通过面对面访谈使用结构化问卷收集数据。通过 24 小时回忆法测量婴儿喂养情况。采用中文版母乳喂养自我效能量表-短式版评估产妇母乳喂养自我效能。采用单因素和多因素逻辑回归分析 EBF 实践相关的因素。
在本研究中，纯母乳喂养的流行率为 37.0%。较高的母乳喂养自我效能评分（调整后的优势比 [AOR] 1.93；95%置信区间 [CI] 1.25，2.98）、大学及以上学历（AOR 2.15；95%CI 1.24，3.71）和早期母乳喂养开始（AOR 2.06；95%CI 1.29，3.29）与 EBF 实践呈正相关。然而，产前准备婴儿配方奶粉（AOR 0.30；95%CI 0.17，0.52）和早产（AOR 0.30；95%CI 0.10，0.87）与 EBF 实践呈负相关。
研究地区的纯母乳喂养实践并不理想，与各种因素有关。EBF 的流行率与较高的母乳喂养自我效能、母亲的教育水平和早期母乳喂养开始呈正相关，而早产和产前准备婴儿配方奶粉是纯母乳喂养的障碍。未来的干预项目应针对早产儿、教育水平较低和母乳喂养自我效能较低的母亲。还应鼓励母乳喂养友好型实践，如早期母乳喂养和母乳代用品法规。
