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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Laura N. Haiek, MD, MSc, Direction de santé publique, Agence de santé et de services sociaux de la Montérégie, 1255, rue Beauregard, Longueuil, QC J4K2M3, Canada, 450-928-6777 ext 3019, l.haiek@rrsss16.gouv.qc.ca and Ghyslaine Neill, PhD, Direction Santé Québec, Institut de la statistique du Québec, 1200 ave McGill College, bureau 500, Montreal, QC H3B 4J8, Canada.

Introduction: When prioritizing intervention strategies to promote compliance with Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) recommendations, it is essential to understand mothers' experiences. Previous research has documented low initiation or an early dramatic drop of EBF after birth. Few rigorous, representative studies have documented the extent and pattern of these changes in North America. Quebec's Ministry of Health has mandated the provincial Institute of Statistics to perform a survey to measure goal attainment of its breastfeeding policy and render information accessible to help the 16 Regional Public Health Departments implement the policy's strategies in the organizations providing maternal-infant care in their region. Objective: Measure EBF rates and BF patterns in Quebec. Sample: 6-month old infants born in 2005 to mothers residing in Québec. Method of data collection: Telephone survey. Results: Data collection is in progress. Targeted sample size is 5211 children and so far, the response rate is around 82%. Preliminary results will illustrate: 1) EBF during hospital stay and for 2, 4, and 6 months; 2) BF patterns among mothers still BF at those periods, using the WHO classification (Exclusive, Predominant and Complementary BF). Conclusions: Documenting EBF behavior and BF patterns will allow provincial, regional and local policy-makers to assess and redefine program objectives and encourage the establishment of population-based monitoring. Furthermore, this evidence-based information will enable public health professionals and clinicians to better convey and explain to mothers the current recommendation of feeding babies only breastmilk for six months and support them in their right to make informed infant feeding decisions.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation the participant will be able to

• List an indicator that measures Exclusive Breastfeeding in the hospital setting and over the first 6 months of life.
• Analyze the evolution of Exclusive Breastfeeding and the shifts in Breastfeeding patterns documented in a North American population, both at the hospital setting and during the infants’ first six months of life.
• Identify 2 public health and clinical intervention strategies to promote compliance with current Exclusive Breastfeeding recommendations related to
• the need to assess and monitor information on Exclusive Breastfeeding in their own setting and
• the importance of helping mothers make optimal infant feeding decisions.

Keywords: Breast Feeding, Evaluation

Related Web page: www.stat.gouv.qc.ca

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation