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Trends in Breastfeeding in the State of Georgia, 2004–2013
Author(s) -
Anderson Alex Kojo,
Kanu Florence Adanma,
Mwaura Mumbi,
Ward Trina Salm
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.650.21
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , medicine , demography , pregnancy , socioeconomic status , pediatrics , environmental health , gerontology , population , genetics , sociology , biology
Background National data suggest upward trends in breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity and duration across the United States but disparities between states still exist. The objective of this study is to describe trends in breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity in the state of Georgia. Method Georgia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data 2004–2013 were analyzed. Participants were included in analyses if infant was born full‐term, normal weight, no birth defect, ≥ 6 months of age at time of data collection and living with the biological mother. SAS statistical software package was used for analyses. Results Of the 4,643 mothers included, 50.4% were White, 10.3% < 20 years, 17.9% < high school education, 60.1% married, 50.6% used Medicaid, 40.3% primiparous and 71.4% lived in an urban area. A little more than half (53.2%) reported their pregnancy was intended and 50.3% of the infants were male. 74.2% initiated breastfeeding with only 28.2% breastfeeding exclusively. There was an overall decreasing trend in breastfeeding initiation and an increasing trend for exclusive breastfeeding between 2004 and 2013 from 73.4%–70.6% and 11.9%–48.8%, respectively. Breastfeeding initiation increased only among Hispanics, 25–34 year olds, and college graduates, while exclusive breastfeeding increased among non‐Hispanic whites, Hispanics, 25–34 year olds, and across all levels of education. Despite the continued recommendations for breastfeeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and others, initiation rates in Georgia are decreasing, suggesting the need for timely education around the benefits of breastfeeding. Interestingly, there is an increasing trend for exclusive breastfeeding rate for those who initiated breastfeeding across the survey waves, which is encouraging news in the right direction. Conclusion Trends in breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity at the state level provide valuable information for state‐level public health professionals and policy makers as well as breastfeeding advocates about the challenge to meet the Healthy People 2020 objective for breastfeeding. Support or Funding Information Georgia Agricultural Experimental Station (HATCH # GEO00820)