 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Michael Curtis, PhD1, Suzanne Haydu, MPH, RD2, Tony Perez, MS1, Suzanne Kwong, BS1, and Ellen J. Stein, MD, MA, MPH3. (1) Epidemiology, Evaluation and Surveillance Section, Maternal and Child Health Branch, California Department of Health Services, 714 P Street, Room 499, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-653-4093, MCurtis@dhs.ca.gov, (2) Maternal and Child Health Branch, 714 P Street, Room 760, Sacramento, CA 95814, (3) Epidemiology, Evaluation & Surveillance Section, Maternal & Child Health Branch, California Department of Health Services, 714 P Street, Room 499, Sacramento, CA 95814
Background: A Healthy People 2010 (HP 2010) objective is to increase to 75% the percent of women who initiate breastfeeding in the early postpartum period. Although rates vary substantially across race/ethnic groups, data are rarely stratified beyond a few major race/ethnic groups. This study compares breastfeeding initiation rates among different Asian/Pacific Islander ethnic subgroups and presents trend data for the period of 1994-2001.
Methods: In-hospital breastfeeding initiation data were obtained from regularly reported genetic screening information collected from every newborn in the state. Data were stratified by Asian/Pacific Islander ethnicity and analyzed over time. Proportions and confidence intervals were calculated and a Chi-square test for trend performed.
Results: In 2001, 80.3% of Asian/Pacific Islander women initiated breastfeeding while in the hospital. Laotian (53.1%), Cambodian (55.6%), and Vietnamese (66.2%) women had the lowest rates, while Filipino (85.6%), Asian Indian (92.9%), and Japanese (94.2%) women had the highest. Overall in-hospital breastfeeding initiation rates among Asian/Pacific Islanders increased from 63.2% in 1994 to 80.3% in 2001 (p<.000). The largest relative percent change in rates occurred among Laotian (144.4%), Cambodian (68.2%), and Vietnamese (57.5%) women.
Conclusion: Substantial variation in breastfeeding initiation rates exists among the Asian/Pacific Islander population. Of the eleven subgroups analyzed, six exceeded the HP 2010 objective. Women from Southeast Asian countries were least likely to breastfeed. Reporting initiation rates within a broadly defined “Asian/Pacific Islander” category masks substantial variation in rates. Culturally appropriate interventions supporting breastfeeding practices should be targeted in hospitals and communities serving women of Southeast Asian ethnicity.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Breast Feeding, Asian and Pacific Islander Women
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.