Exclusive breastfeeding intention and associated factors in pregnant women: findings from a population-based study

Background: The benefits of breastfeeding especially exclusive breastfeeding have been well recognized. Aim To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of exclusive breastfeeding intentions for the first six months among pregnant women. Methods A self-designed questionnaire was adopted to collect information on maternal intention on exclusive breastfeeding and other related social characteristics. The primary outcome was intention of mother on exclusively breastfeeding which derived by a response to the question “would you be will to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months?” Adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were obtained by multiple logistic regression after adjusted by maternal age. Findings: A total of 2,479 pregnant women in the third trimester were interviewed. 60.8% of them planned to exclusively breastfeed during the first 6 months. After adjusted by maternal age, intentions to exclusively breastfeed was lower in mothers with a graduate degree (OR,0.70; 0.525–0.987). Mothers who received supports of exclusive breastfeeding from spouses and parents were more likely to intent to exclusively breastfeed than those not. The intention of exclusively breastfeed was higher among mothers (OR = 1.436, 1.199–1.719) who participated in breastfeeding courses during pregnancy were pregnant women independent influencing factors of breastfeeding intention in late pregnant women. Conclusion Over half of the pregnancy women showed an intention to exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. Antenatal breastfeeding courses and supportive practices from family need to be enforced to improve mothers' and family members' perception about exclusive breastfeeding, in order to increase the rate and duration of exclusive breastfeeding.