The relationship between in-hospital breastfeeding rates and hospital type

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of hospital environment on breastfeeding rates during maternal hospitalization. This study applied a descriptive correlational design. The study population consisted of mothers who had given birth to infants in the Taiwan area between June and October 2003. A proportional probability sampling method was used. Samples were drawn based on the mother's residence in one of six regions: eastern, central, southern, and northern Taiwan, Taipei City, or Kaohsiung City. The rates of exclusive and mixed breastfeeding during hospitalization were found to be 17.9% and 47%, respectively. Bi-variable analysis showed that higher-level hospitals, certified baby-friendly hospitals, teaching hospitals, hospitals with higher annual birth numbers, and public hospitals all had higher rates of breastfeeding. Logistic regression results demonstrated the positive influence of institutional factors associated with breastfeeding (any and exclusive breatfeeding) when social demographic and perinatal variables were controlled in the model. Baby-friendly and higher-level hospitals had the highest breastfeeding rates. Women who delivered at baby-friendly and teaching hospitals had higher exclusive breastfeeding rates. The results of this research can serve as a reference to the government and medical institutions in relation to efforts to promote breastfeeding.