Factors associated with intention to breastfeed in Vietnamese mothers: A cross-sectional study

by Duong Thi Thuy Doan, Colin Binns, Andy Lee, Yun Zhao, Minh Ngoc Pham, Hoa Thi Phuong Dinh, Chuong Canh Nguyen, Ha Thi Thu Bui

Introduction

Breastfeeding has many benefits for mothers, children, and the environment over both the short and longr-term. Prenatal intention to breastfeed is a powerful predictor of short-term breastfeeding outcomes.

Objective

This study aims to analyze breastfeeding intentions, including the intention to feed infants with breastmilk only and to continue exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months among pregnant mothers in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Methods

The analysis included 1230 singleton mothers, between 24- and 36-weeks’ gestation, who attended antenatal clinics in two hospitals in Hanoi in 2020.

Results

The proportion of mothers with an “breastfeeding intention” (i.e., intention to feed an infant with breastmilk only) and “exclusive breastfeeding intention” to 6 months was 59.9% and 41.7%, respectively. Mothers who were 25 years or older (aOR = 1.35, 95%CI:1.00–1.81), had an undergraduate educational degree or higher (aOR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.08–1.76), had observed another woman breastfeeding (aOR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.03–2.00), were not living with parents-in-law (aOR = 1.34, CI: 1.05–1.70), and were multiparous (aOR = 1.60, 95%CI: 1.16–2.19) had higher odds of “exclusive breastfeeding intention” to 6 months. Among primiparous women, those who thought their husbands support breastfeeding were more likely to intend to feed an infant with breastmilk only. Among multiparous women, feeding the previous child with breastmilk exclusively before the introduction of complementary foods and not giving solid foods together with water until 6 months, were significant predictors for both breastfeeding intentions.

Conclusion

Mothers without exclusive breastfeeding experience should be provided with greater support to promote exclusive breastfeeding intention and outcomes.