Determinants of breastfeeding initiation in Xinjiang, PR China, 2003-2004

Aim: To identify the prevalence of breastfeeding initiation and the determinants of the breastfeeding initiation in Xinjiang, PR China, 2003-2004. Methods: A cohort study of infant feeding practices was undertaken in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, PR China. A total 1219 mothers were randomly recruited in five hospitals or institutes located in urban and rural areas during 2003 and 2004. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with breastfeeding initiation. Results: Before discharge from hospital, 92.2% of the mothers were breastfeeding including 66.2% who were exclusively breastfed. A total of 88 mothers (7.8%) were not breastfeeding on discharge from hospital. Breastfeeding before discharge was positively associated giving breastmilk as the first feed (OR 4.05, CI 1.30-12.65) feeding on demand (OR 4.33, CI 1.69-11.08), when the mother felt she had been given enough information about breastfeeding, belonging to a minority ethnic group (OR 3.13, CI 1.21-5.05) and giving birth in spring or summer. Conclusions: This study has documented breastfeeding initiation rate and associated factors with it in Xinjiang, PR China.