PREDICTING FACTORS OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG MOTHERS IN CHINA: STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) provides unparalleled health benefits for both mothers and infants. While the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends EBF for up to 6 months, the current situation is less than ideal. A prospective study was conducted to explore EBF duration and test the model of EBF among mothers in Jiangsu province, China. A sample of 374 mothers was recruited in Jiangsu province with multi-stage random sampling method. Research instruments included: 1) Breastfeeding (BF) knowledge questionnaire, 2) BF Attrition Prediction Tool, 3) Perception of Insufficient Milk (PIM) Questionnaire, 4) Infant Feeding Intention Scale. The Cronbach’s alpha reliabilities of these instruments ranged from .74 to .88. SEM with AMOS software application was used to analysis causal effects among variables.

Results showed that the average EBF duration was 69.29 days (SD=72.06). Maternity leave, BF intention and perceived control had positively direct effects on EBF (β=.07, .29 and .29 respectively, p

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