Comparison of national cross-sectional breast-feeding surveys by maternal education in Europe (2006–2016)

Public Health Nutrition

Mahesh Sarki^1¹  Alexandr Parlesak^2² 

[1] Global Health,University of Copenhagen,Copenhagen,Denmark^1;Global Nutrition and Health,University College Copenhagen,Sigurdsgade 26, 2200 København N,Denmark^2

关键词: Exclusive breast-feeding;    Maternal education;    Social gradient;    Inequality;    Europe;   

DOI  :  10.1017/S1368980018002999

学科分类：卫生学

来源: Cambridge University Press

【 摘 要 】

Objective Breast-feeding is an important determinant of health of mothers and their offspring. The present study aimed to compare breast-feeding rates across Europe disaggregated by maternal education and establish what proportion achieves at least 50 % exclusive breast-feeding (EBF) at 6 months. Design/Setting Secondary analysis of national or sub-national studies’ breast-feeding data for EU Member States plus Norway and Iceland, published in 2006–2016. Nineteen EU Member States plus Norway reported rates of EBF and any breast-feeding disaggregated by maternal education, of which only thirteen could be matched to the International Standard Classification of Education. Participants Mothers and their infants aged 0–12 months. Results Data on EBF rates at 6 and 4 months were found in only four and six countries, respectively. At 6 months, EBF rates of 49 % in Slovakia and 44 % in Hungary were closest to WHO’s target of at least 50 % EBF. At 4 months, mothers with high education level in Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany had the highest EBF rates (71, 52 and 50 %, respectively). Mothers with low education level were less likely to initiate breast-feeding and cessation occurred early. The inequality gap ranged from 63 % in Irish mothers to no gap or very low levels of inequality in Poland, Sweden and Norway. Conclusions More mothers with high, compared with low, education initiate breast-feeding and practise EBF for longer. More European policies should be targeted to protect, support and promote breast-feeding, especially among mothers with only mandatory education.

【 授权许可】

CC BY