240042 Variation in hospital experience by race in breastfeeding support for women in Louisiana

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Lauren Zerbib, MD Candidate , School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Lillian C. Funke, MPH , Office of Public Health, Maternal and Child Health Program, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, New Orleans, LA
Rebekah Gee, MD, MPH, MSHPR , School of Public Health, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA
  
BACKGROUND: Louisiana consistently ranks among the lowest in the country for breastfeeding initiation (56.6%, CDC 2010). The 2004-2008 National Immunization Survey found racial disparities between non-hispanic white women and non-hispanic black women, 59.8% and 31.8% respectively (MMWR 2010). Our study seeks to determine the variation in hospital experiences by race as a potential contributor to racial disparities in breastfeeding in Louisiana. METHODS: Data from the Louisiana Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System 2007-2008 (n = 2534) were used to determine the odds of non-hispanic white and non-hispanic black women's hospital experiences with breastfeeding-related services following delivery. SAS-callable SUDDAN was used for analyses. RESULTS: A significantly higher percentage of non-hispanic white women reported: baby in hospital room (75% vs. 68%, p<0.01), baby breastfed in room (60% vs. 29%, p<0.001), baby breastfed in first hour (35% vs. 17%, p<0.001), staff helped teach breastfeeding (54% vs. 36%, p<0.001), baby fed only breast milk (37% vs. 14%, p<0.001), baby fed on demand (55% vs. 34%, p<0.001), and breastfeeding help phone number given (67% vs. 48%, p<0.001). A significantly higher percentage of non-hispanic black women received formula gift packs (92% vs. 88% p<0.05). The percentage of women who received breastfeeding information from hospital staff did not differ (p=0.29). Study limitations include potential racial differences in demand for breastfeeding support and response bias. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study shows significant racial differences in hospital experiences following delivery in Louisiana. The contribution of these findings to racial disparities in breastfeeding initiation in Louisiana requires further investigation.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines

Learning Objectives:
Identify differences in hospital experiences by race related to breastfeeding.

Keywords: Breast Feeding, Minority Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a medical student with an interest in Women's health. I initiated this study and did most of the background research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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