Kori B. Flower|Michael T. Willoughby|R. Jean Cadigan|Eliana M. Perrin|Greg D. Randolph
Understanding Breastfeeding Initiation and Continuation in Rural Communities: A Combined Qualitative/Quantitative Approach
Community Health Center|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|Community Health Center
determine factors associated breastfeeding rural communitieswe combined qualitative quantitative data family life project consisting 1 longitudinal cohort study n1292 infants born september 20032004 2 parallel ethnographic study n30 families demographic characteristics maternal infant health factors health services used predict breastfeeding initiation discontinuation using logistic cox regression models respectively ethnographic interviews identified additional reasons initiating continuing breastfeedingfiftyfive percent women initiated breastfeeding 18 continued least 6 months maternal employment 2 months receiving wic associated decreased breastfeeding initiation continuation ethnographic data suggested many women never even considered breastfeeding often discontinued breastfeeding due discomfort embarrassment lack assistancebreastfeeding rates rural communities lag behind national averages opportunities increasing breastfeeding rural communities include enhancing workplace support maximizing role wic increasing hospital breastfeeding assistance creating social environment breastfeeding normative