Comparison of the Factors that Influence Breastfeeding Duration in Selected Cultures
OLIVIA L. STALTERI
Advisor, Norma Geddes, RN, Ph.D
Preceptor, Sharron S. Humenick, RN, Ph.D, FAAN
Objective: To compare various factors associated with breastfeeding duration across five different cohorts and describe the patterns that are evident among these groups. For our purposes, it is important to study how women of distinct cultures experience variation in the factors that influence breastfeeding duration.
Methods: For this descriptive analysis, statistical analysis methods were used to calculate the frequencies of the five cohorts according to variables and perform chi-square tests. The correlation coefficient test was conducted to investigate a linear relationship between two sets of variables. SPSS 10.1 was the statistical software used for the analysis.
Results: The chi-square values for cesarean birth (X^2= 10.46, DF=4, p<0.033) and women who breastfed the first baby (if multiparous) (X^2 =83 .77, DF=4, p<0.000) were found to be significant among the five cohorts. Total breastfeeding at five months chi-square value (X^ 2=4.05, DF4 p<0.399) was not found to be significant. Regional breastfeeding initiation rates and our total breastfeeding at five months rates were correlated among the five cohorts (r=0.941, p<0.019, t=4.83, DF=3).
Conclusion: We conclude that although the data clearly states that women from very different communities experience similar barriers to breastfeeding problems, have comparable sociodemographic characteristics and analogous attitudes in regard to breastfeeding, the women’s actual feeding behavior is highly related to the breastfeeding rate (the norm) in their community.
