Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Cessation in the Early Postnatal Period among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Australian Mothers
Felix Akpojene Ogbo,
Osita Kingsley Ezeh,
Sarah Khanlari,
Sabrina Naz,
Praween Senanayake,
Kedir Y. Ahmed,
Anne McKenzie,
Olayide Ogunsiji,
Kingsley Agho,
Andrew Page,
Jane Ussher,
Janette Perz,
Bryanne Barnett AM,
John Eastwood
Affiliations
Felix Akpojene Ogbo
Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia
Osita Kingsley Ezeh
School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia
Sarah Khanlari
Department of Community Paediatrics, Sydney Local Health District, Croydon Community Health Centre, 24 Liverpool Street, Croydon, NSW 2132, Australia
Sabrina Naz
Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia
Praween Senanayake
Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia
Kedir Y. Ahmed
Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia
Anne McKenzie
Child and Family Health Nursing, Primary & Community Health, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Narellan, NSW 2567, Australia
Olayide Ogunsiji
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Liverpool Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia
Kingsley Agho
Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia
Andrew Page
Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia
Jane Ussher
Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia
Janette Perz
Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia
Bryanne Barnett AM
St John of God Raphael Services, Blacktown, NSW 2148, Australia
John Eastwood
Department of Community Paediatrics, Sydney Local Health District, Croydon Community Health Centre, 24 Liverpool Street, Croydon, NSW 2132, Australia
There are limited epidemiological data on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australian mothers to advocate for targeted and/or culturally-appropriate interventions. This study investigated the determinants of EBF cessation in the early postnatal period among CALD Australian mothers in Sydney, Australia. The study used linked maternal and child health data from two local health districts in Australia (N = 25,407). Prevalence of maternal breastfeeding intention, skin-to-skin contact, EBF at birth, discharge, and the early postnatal period (1−4 weeks postnatal), were estimated. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to investigate determinants of EBF cessation in the early postnatal period. Most CALD Australian mothers had the intention to breastfeed (94.7%). Skin-to-skin contact (81.0%), EBF at delivery (91.0%), and at discharge (93.0%) were high. EBF remained high in the early postnatal period (91.4%). A lack of prenatal breastfeeding intention was the strongest determinant of EBF cessation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 23.76, 95% CI: 18.63−30.30, for mothers with no prenatal breastfeeding intention and aOR = 6.15, 95% CI: 4.74−7.98, for those undecided). Other significant determinants of EBF cessation included a lack of partner support, antenatal and postnatal depression, intimate partner violence, low socioeconomic status, caesarean birth, and young maternal age (<20 years). Efforts to improve breastfeeding among women of CALD backgrounds in Australia should focus on women with vulnerabilities to maximise the benefits of EBF.
