Open AccessAcculturative type is associated with breastfeeding duration among low‐income Latinas
Author(s) -
Chapman Donna J.,
PérezEscamilla Rafael
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
maternal and child nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1740-8709
pISSN - 1740-8695
DOI - 10.1111/j.1740-8709.2011.00344.x
Subject(s) - medicine , breastfeeding , duration (music) , acculturation , low income , demography , pediatrics , ethnic group , demographic economics , sociology , art , literature , anthropology , economics
We sought to assess the relationship between acculturative type and breastfeeding outcomes among low‐income Latinas, utilising a multidimensional assessment of acculturation. We analysed data derived from a breastfeeding peer counselling randomised trial. Acculturation was assessed during pregnancy using a modified Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans scale. Analyses were restricted to Latinas who completed the acculturation scale and had post‐partum breastfeeding data ( n = 114). Cox survival analyses were conducted to evaluate differences in breastfeeding continuation and exclusivity by acculturative type. Participants were classified as integrated‐high (23.7%, n = 27), traditional Hispanic (36.8%, n = 42), integrated‐low (12.3%, n = 14) and assimilated (27.2%, n = 31). The integrated‐low group was significantly more likely to continue breastfeeding than the traditional Hispanic, assimilated, and integrated‐high groups ( P < 0.05, P < 0.05, and P < 0.01, respectively). The traditional Hispanic group was marginally more likely to continue breastfeeding than the integrated‐high group ( P = 0.06). Breastfeeding continuation rates vary significantly between acculturative types in this multinational, low‐income Latina sample. Multidimensional assessments of acculturation may prove useful in better tailoring future breastfeeding promotion interventions.