Gesundheitswesen 2019; 81(08/09): 686
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1694422
Kongresstag 2: 17.09.2019
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The impact of psychosocial factors on breastfeeding duration in the BaBi-Study. Analysis of a birth cohort study in Germany

A Grosser
1   Department of Epidemiology & International Public Health, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany, Bielefeld
,
IM Doyle
2   Institute for General Practice, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany, Hannover
,
A Löffler
3   Department of Public Health, Brandenburg University of Technology, Senftenberg, Germany, Senftenberg
,
J Breckenkamp
1   Department of Epidemiology & International Public Health, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany, Bielefeld
,
J Spallek
3   Department of Public Health, Brandenburg University of Technology, Senftenberg, Germany, Senftenberg
,
O Razum
1   Department of Epidemiology & International Public Health, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany, Bielefeld
,
C Miani
1   Department of Epidemiology & International Public Health, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany, Bielefeld
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 August 2019 (online)

 

Background:

Breastfeeding is beneficial for both mother and child. In Germany, national guidelines recommend fully breastfeeding for at least 4 months, which has only been reached by 34% in 2012. The WHO's aim of exclusively breastfeeding for six months was reached by 19% only. Socio-economic status and migration background have been identified to be associated with duration of breastfeeding but little is known about the impact of psychosocial factors e.g. personality traits and social support. We hypothesized that there are differences in the psychosocial profiles of mothers regarding the duration of breastfeeding.

Methods:

Baseline and follow up data of the Bielefeld BaBi birth cohort (2013 – 16) were analysed. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed in order to identify psychosocial determinants for fully breastfeeding for four and six months.

Results:

Out of 780 BaBi study participants, 548 fully breastfeed for four months (70.3%) and 279 continued until at least six months (35.8%). Logistic regression analyses shows that fully breastfeeding for at least four or six months is independently associated with the intention to breastfeed (OR 7.3 [C.I. 4.54.-11.21) and the attendance of antenatal class (OR 1.4 [C.I. 1.01.-2.06). Personality characteristics, social status und migration background showed no significant association with breastfeeding duration.

Conclusion:

Our study results suggest to promote individuals' breastfeeding intention and the attendance of antenatal classes to increase breastfeeding duration. Since differences in breastfeeding practices have the potential to create inequalities in mother and child health, more efforts are needed to intensify research on modifiable factors influencing breastfeeding duration.