Objective To describe breast-feeding practices and identify correlates of b
reast-feeding among participants in the Hawaii Special Supplemental Nutriti
on Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
Design A cross-sectional survey.
Subjects/setting We conducted structured, in-person interviews with 535 wom
en at WIC clinics throughout Hawaii (95% response rate). The interview coll
ected information on maternal characteristics and infant-feeding practices.
Statistical analyses Breast-feeding prevalence was examined by infant age a
nd predictors of infant-feeding method were examined via bivariate tests an
d multivariable logistic regression analysis. Reported breast-feeding promo
tion efforts in health care settings outside of WIC were also examined.
Results Most women (82%) attempted to breast-feed, albeit for short duratio
ns for many women; of the women who breast-fed in combination with formula
feeding, 46% introduced formula within the first week after delivery. Signi
ficant predictors of breast-feeding initiation included previous breast-fee
ding experience, having a close relative or friend who breast-fed, multipar
ity, Asian/Pacific Island ethnicity (other than Filipino), and being foreig
n-born. Significant predictors of mixed feeding (vs exclusive breastfeeding
) included working or attending school, age less than 20 years, Hawaiian/pa
rt Hawaiian or Filipino ethnicity, being Hawaiian-born, and residing in Oah
u county.
Conclusions Although most women in this population initiated breast-feeding
, formula was usually introduced at an early age. This study identified sev
eral factors associated with breast-feeding initiation and exclusive breast
-feeding, factors that may prove useful for the development of appropriate
interventions to promote these behaviors.