Infant Feeding Practices in Zhejiang Province, China
Author Information
Author(s): Qiu Liqian, Zhao Yun, Binns Colin W, Lee Andy H, Xie Xing
Primary Institution: Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University
Hypothesis
The study aims to compare infant feeding practices and the prevalence of determinants of breastfeeding in city, suburban, and rural areas of Zhejiang Province.
Conclusion
Mothers in the city were least likely to exclusively breastfeed at discharge, and by six months, city infants had lower rates of any and exclusive breastfeeding.
Supporting Evidence
- 96.5% of mothers in the city initiated breastfeeding before discharge.
- Exclusive breastfeeding rates were 38.0% in the city, 63.4% in the suburb, and 61.0% in the rural area at discharge.
- By six months, only 0.2% of city infants were exclusively breastfed.
Takeaway
This study looked at how mothers feed their babies in different areas of Zhejiang Province, finding that city mothers are less likely to breastfeed exclusively compared to those in suburban and rural areas.
Methodology
A longitudinal cohort study with mothers recruited and interviewed before hospital discharge, followed by interviews at 1, 3, and 6 months postpartum.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the selection of hospitals and the high response rate may not reflect broader population trends.
Limitations
The study sample may not fully represent Zhejiang Province, and a larger probability sample is needed for more accurate results.
Participant Demographics
99.9% of mothers were married, 97.5% belonged to the Han ethnic group, with varying levels of education and employment across city, suburban, and rural areas.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI reported for various breastfeeding rates.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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