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Factors affecting exclusive breast‐feeding during the first 6 months in K orea
Author(s) -
Kim Myo Jing,
Kim YuMi,
Yoo JaeHo
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/ped.12004
Subject(s) - medicine , confidence interval , odds ratio , breast feeding , logistic regression , pediatrics
Background The aim of this study was to identify the status of exclusive breast‐feeding ( EBF ) in K orea and analyze the factors affecting exclusive breast‐feeding at 6 months of age. Method This study was based on data obtained from the K orea N ational H ealth and N utrition E xamination S urvey ( KNHANES ) IV , conducted from J anuary 2007 to D ecember 2008. A total of 404 mother–infant pairs were recruited. Exclusive breast‐feeding was defined according to the criteria established by the W orld H ealth O rganization. Result The rate of EBF was 60.9% for 1 month, 55.0% for 3 months, 35.4% for 6 months, 3.7% for 9 months and 1.2% for 12 months after birth. According to a stepwise logistic regression analysis, factors that were positively associated with EBF at 6 months were younger maternal age (odds ratio [ OR] = 0.85, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.79–0.92), higher maternal education level ( OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.17–4.46) and living in a capital city ( OR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.46–4.75). Conclusion The rate of EBF in K orea is still suboptimal. To promote EBF , persistent and systematic education and campaigns for breast‐feeding should be provided, particularly in vulnerable regions.