학술논문

Unpacking Breastfeeding Disparities: Baby-Friendly Hospital Designation Associated with Reduced In-Hospital Exclusive Breastfeeding Disparity Attributed to Neighborhood Poverty
Document Type
Original Paper
Source
Maternal and Child Health Journal. :1-9
Subject
Breastfeeding
Baby-friendly hospital initiative
Sociodemographic factors
Health disparities
Language
English
ISSN
1092-7875
1573-6628
Abstract
Objectives: To examine US in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and the associations with Baby-Friendly designation and neighborhood sociodemographic factors.Methods: Hospital data from the 2018 Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care survey were linked to hospital zip code tabulation area (ZCTA) sociodemographic data from the 2014–2018 American Community Survey (n = 2,024). The percentages of residents in the hospital ZCTA were dichotomized based on the relative mean percentage of the hospital’s metropolitan area, which were exposure variables (high/low Black hospitals, high/low poverty hospitals, high/low educational attainment hospitals) along with Baby-Friendly designation. Using linear regression, we examined the associations and effect measure modification between Baby-Friendly designation and hospital sociodemographic factors with in-hospital EBF prevalence.Results: US mean in-hospital EBF prevalence was 55.1%. Baby-Friendly designation was associated with 9.1% points higher in-hospital EBF prevalence compared to non-designated hospitals [95% confidence interval (CI): 7.0, 11.2]. High Black hospitals and high poverty hospitals were associated with lower EBF prevalence (difference= -3.3; 95% CI: -5.1, -1.4 and − 3.8; 95% CI: -5.7, -1.8). High educational attainment hospitals were associated with higher EBF prevalence (difference = 6.7; 95% CI: 4.1, 9.4). Baby-Friendly designation was associated with significant effect measure modification of the in-hospital EBF disparity attributed to neighborhood level poverty (4.0% points higher in high poverty/Baby-Friendly designated hospitals than high poverty/non-Baby-Friendly designated hospitals).
Significance: What is already known on this subject?: Few infants exclusively breastfeed (EBF) for the recommended 6 months. There are known sociodemographic disparities in EBF prevalence, yet little is known about neighborhood sociodemographic factors and the relationship with in-hospital EBF.What this study adds?: Hospitals in neighborhoods with high relative percentage of Black residents and poverty were associated with lower in-hospital EBF prevalence. Baby-Friendly designation may reduce EBF disparities among hospitals located in high poverty neighborhoods.