Socio-demographic predictors of negative attitude toward public breastfeeding: From data to policy

Background: Breastfeeding is the most important feeding element in infant's development. Breast milk is the healthiest form of diet for infants and research has proved that it prevents infections and affects morbidity and mortality. Despite these proven benefits, attitude towards breast feeding in public has not changed over the years. The purpose of this study is to examine the predictors of attitude toward public breastfeeding.

Method: Data from the 2010 Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) was analyzed to examine the predictors of attitude toward public breastfeeding. The independent variables used in the study were race/ethnicity, age, sex, education, income and employment status.

Result:Univariate analysis indicated that race / ethnicity (P<0.001), education (P<0.001), sex (P<0.001) and income (P<0.001) are significantly associated with the outcome. Age and current employment status were not associated with the outcome variable. Logistic regression suggested that education, sex and income could predict the outcome. Respondent who were educated had increased odds of being bothered by public breastfeeding as compared to respondents who did not complete high school education. Similarly, women were more than twice likely to be bothered by public breastfeeding (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.76 – 2.38) compared to men. Those with higher annual income had increased odds of reporting as being bothered by public breastfeeding.

Conclusion: Public health programs aimed at addressing public attitudes related to breastfeeding needs to consider reaching out to women and people with higher education, income. Contrary to what has been reported elsewhere, we found educational attainment inversely associated with attitude. This finding warrants further examination.