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Abstract

Breastfeeding rates have decreased in the past decade in China. This study identifies psychosocial and sociodemographic factors associated with breastfeeding practices. A total of 599 mothers of infants 2 to 4 months old were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Nearly all infants (95.5%) were breastfed, but only 4.2% were exclusively breastfed, and 48.7% were fully breastfed. Mothers' intention to breastfeed (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.39-2.01) and social support (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.002-1.50) were associated with full breastfeeding. Full breastfeeding prevalence decreased with children's age (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.63, 0.98). Girls were more likely to be fully breastfed than boys (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.02). This study found that optimal breastfeeding practices during the first 4 months of life are not universal in rural China. Health care providers should be more actively involved in educating and motivating mothers and their family members to adopt optimal breastfeeding practices. J Hum Lact. 24(4):377-385.

Los índices de lactancia materna bajaron en las últimas décadas en China. Este estudio identifica factores psicosociales y demográficos asociados con las prácticas de lactancia materna. Un total de 599 madres de bebes de 2 a 4 meses de edad se entrevistaron usando un cuestionario estructurado. Casi todos los bebes (95.5%) recibían lactancia materna. Aun asísolo 4.2% recibieron lactancia materna exclusiva y 48.7% lactancia materna completa. La intención de las madres de lactar (OR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.39-2.01) y el apoyo social (OR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.002-1.50) se asociaron a lactancia materna completa. La prevalencia de la lactancia materna disminuyó con la edad de los niños (OR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.63-0.98). Las niñas mostraron mayor probabilidad de recibir lactancia completa que los niños (OR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.06-2.02). Este estudio encontró que las prácticas óptimas de lactancia materna durante los 4 primeros meses de vida no son universales en áreas rurales de China. Los proveedores de salud deben estar mas activamente involucrados en educar y motivar a las madres y sus familiares para adoptar prácticas óptimas de lactancia materna.

Keywords

breastfeeding rural China prevalence practice sociodemographics

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Breastfeeding in Rural China: Association Between Knowledge,Attitudes,and Practices

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