259722 A prospective assessment of maternal recall of breastfeeding behaviors

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Erin Paxson, MS , Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, NY
Sally Ann Lederman, PhD , Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, NY
Julie B. Herbstman, ScM, PhD , Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY
Frederica P. Perera, DrPH , Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health; Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
The effects of breastfeeding on the health of mother and child have been widely researched, yielding findings with significant implications for public health recommendations. While these studies often rely on maternal report of breastfeeding behaviors, reliability of this data source has not been sufficiently established. We studied 124 women in New York City who repeatedly reported breastfeeding behaviors over six years. Assuming the earliest report is the most accurate, analyses indicate that maternal report of ever breastfeeding is reliable up to six years after the birth—90-96% of responses were accurate at follow-up. Several maternal characteristics were positively associated with report consistency—maternal age, marital status, breastfeeding duration, employment during pregnancy, education. Socioeconomic status had an inverse association.

Recall of the duration of any breastfeeding (age of child when all breastfeeding stopped) was also consistent—over 80% of follow-up reports were within 60 days of the earliest report. Inconsistent reports were likely to be over-estimations. No maternal characteristics were identified as significant contributing factors. Report of the duration of regular (daily) breastfeeding was only consistent in women who breastfed for longer than three months. Thus, maternal recall of ever breastfeeding and of the duration of any breastfeeding was reliable up to six years after the birth; maternal report of the duration of regular breastfeeding was not consistent and should be used with caution as a data source. This study indicates the extent to which maternal reports can be relied on for studies of the effects of breastfeeding on maternal or child health.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Assess the consistency of maternal recall of breastfeeding behaviors up to six years after the birth. Identify any maternal characteristics that may be associated with the consistency of maternal recall of breastfeeding behaviors. Evaluate the reliability of maternal report for studies of the effects of breastfeeding on maternal or child health.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Maternal and Child Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: This abstract was derived from my Master's thesis research work, which was completed at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health.
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.