c/o Children's Hospital and Health Center
3020 Children's Way, MC 5073
San Diego, CA 92123-4282
Phone: (858) 966-5981
Fax: (858) 966-7563
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Breastfeeding Statistics in Multicultural Populations Nancy E. Wight MD, IBCLC Breastfeeding rates vary widely with different cultures and demographic groups. In order to ascertain baseline rates and assess the effectiveness of interventions we must have accurate data on breastfeeding initiation and duration rates. Ideally, independent, unbiased researchers or a branch of government should do the data collection and analysis. It is unfortunate that in the USA the largest and longest-standing database on breastfeeding rates is the Ross Mothers Survey1, collected for marketing purposes since 1955. Questionnaires are mailed to a probability sample of new mothers selected from a list of names that represents approximately 82% of all national births. They survey monthly until 12 months of age. In 2000, 1.4 million questionnaires were mailed, 117,000 each month, with a response rate of 31%. The Ross sample, although large, grossly underreports breastfeeding data for a multitude of ethnic and socioeconomic groups. The survey is done by mail and in English, necessitating an address, the ability to read, and English fluency. Unfortunately, only smaller, targeted data collection has been done in most cultural groups. |
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The August (Vol 17, No. 3) and November (Vol 17, No. 4) 2001 editions of the Journal of Human Lactation have as a theme the cross-cultural determinants of infant feeding practices. Fascinating views of incredibly diverse cultures reveal some common themes, described for us by Heinig and Farley2. Motivation is central to a woman's choice to breastfeed her infant, but such motivation is largely built upon her personal beliefs and those of her family and society at large. Education builds upon motivation, and hands-on skills upon that. Any given breastfeeding promotion program, targeting one or several aspects of this pyramid, needs accurate data upon which to judge its effect. Let us hope that our public health efforts to increase both the initiation and duration of breastfeeding include reliable data for ascertaining the results of our labors! References:
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