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PEDIATRICS Vol. 101 No. 6 June 1998, p. e11

ELECTRONIC ARTICLE:
Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Decision to Breastfeed Among Adolescent Mothers

Received Nov 4, 1997; accepted Mar 17, 1998.

Constance M. Wiemann*, Jacqueline C. DuBoisDagger , and Abbey B. Berenson*, Dagger

From the Departments of * Obstetrics and Gynecology and Dagger  Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.

Objective.  To identify racial/ethnic differences in prevalence and the factors that influence decisions to breastfeed among adolescent mothers.

Methods.  A total of 696 Mexican-American, African-American, and Caucasian adolescent mothers <= 18 years of age were interviewed on the postpartum ward of university hospital within 48 hours of delivery. Self-reported factors associated with the decision to breastfeed were assessed.

Results.  The decision to breastfeed was reported by 55% of Mexican-American, 45% of Caucasian, and 15% of African-American adolescent mothers. With the exception of perceived benefits of breastfeeding and exposure to educational materials, most factors associated with breastfeeding differed by race/ethnicity. Among Mexican-Americans, important factors included having relied on feeding advice (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 7.6); the feeding preference of a partner (AOR = 7.0) or mother (AOR = 6.6); and feeding decisions made in early pregnancy (AOR = 4.7). Among African-Americans, important factors included living with a partner (AOR = 10.6); having a mother who breastfed (AOR = 5.9); the feeding preference of a partner (AOR = 5.6) or health care provider (AOR = 4.7); and low family support (AOR = 3.4). Among Caucasians, health care providers' feeding preference (AOR = 6.1); having two or more breastfeeding role models (AOR = 4.1); not being enrolled in Women, Infants, and Children's Supplemental Nutrition Program (AOR = 3.0); having relied on infant-feeding advice (AOR = 3.0); and prenatal alcohol use (AOR = 2.6) were associated with the decision to breastfeed.

Conclusions.  Prevalence and influences to breastfeed differ by patient race/ethnicity. We speculate that targeting the adolescent mother and members of her support system, educating them before and during pregnancy, and stressing benefits of this method while eliminating misinformation, especially among African-Americans, may be important intervention strategies to promote breastfeeding.

Key words: breastfeeding, adolescent mothers, pregnant adolescents, ethnicity.


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