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Breastfeeding and health promotion: the experience of Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal mothers
Author(s) -
Gilchrist Dawn,
Woods Beth,
Binns Colin W.,
Gracey Michael,
Scott Jane,
Smith Hannah
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he04226
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , population health , health promotion , health economics , public health , medicine , community health , breastfeeding promotion , environmental health , promotion (chess) , nursing , family medicine , pediatrics , political science , politics , law
Issue addressed To compare the sources of information about breastfeeding given to Aboriginal and nonAboriginal mothers in Australia. Methods Cohort studies were undertaken on two groups of mothers who gave birth in the Perth metropolitan area; the Perth Infant Feeding Study and the Perth Aboriginal Breastfeeding Study Similar questions were asked . of 556 non‐Aboriginal and 425 Aboriginal mothers. Results Aboriginal mothers were more likely (88%) to be given a pamphlet about breastfeeding than nonAboriginal mothers (56%). On the other hand, they were far less likely to receive any other form of education about breastfeeding. Aboriginal mothers were less likely to have discussed potential infant feeding methods with the baby's father prior to delivery. Conclusions Aboriginal mothers are less likely to participate in health promotion activities about breastfeeding. So what? There is a need to improve and increase antenatal breastfeeding information for Aboriginal Australian mothers. The young age at which many Aboriginal mothers give birth suggests that health promotion for motherhood could usefully be given to senior high school students.