Benefits, Barriers and Enablers of Breastfeeding: Factor Analysis of Population Perceptions in Western Australia

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate knowledge and community perceptions of breastfeeding in Western Australia using a factor analysis approach.MethodsData were pooled from five Nutrition Monitoring Survey Series which included information on breastfeeding from 4,802 Western Australian adults aged 18–64 years. Tetrachoric factor analysis was conducted for data reduction and significant associations identified using logistic, ordinal and poisson regression analyses.ResultsFour factors were derived for benefits (it’s natural, good nutrition, good for the baby, and convenience), barriers (breastfeeding problems, poor community acceptability, having to go back to work, and inconvenience) and for enablers (breastfeeding education, community support, family support and not having to work). As assessed by standardized odds ratios the most important covariates across benefit factors were: importance of breastfeeding (ORs range from 1.22–1.44), female gender (ORs range from 0.80 to 1.46), being able to give a time for how long a baby should be breastfed (ORs range from 0.96 to 1.27) and education (less than high school to university completion) (ORs range from 0.95 to 1.23); the most important covariate across barrier factors was being able to give a time for how long a baby should be breastfed (ORs range from 0.89 to 1.93); and the most important covariates across all enabling factors were education (ORs range from 1.14 to 1.32) and being able to give a time for how long a baby should be breastfed (ORs range from 1.17 to 1.42).ConclusionsBeing female, rating breastfeeding as important, believing that babies should be breastfed for a period of time and education accounted for most of the statistically significant associations. The differences between male and female perceptions require investigation particularly in relation to returning to work.

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“…Additionally, anxiety about breastfeeding in public may also be a determinant for suboptimal breastfeeding practices in Australia [23]. A recent study from Western Australia identified potential barriers as breastfeeding problems, poor community acceptability, and inconvenience; while the enablers included breastfeeding education, community support, family support and not having to work [24]. …”

UK Views toward Breastfeeding in Public

“…Despite this, breastfeeding rates in the United Kingdom remain below targets, with only 23% and 1% of mothers exclusively breastfeeding at 6 weeks and 6 months, respectively 3 . The barriers to breastfeeding are well documented and include inconvenience, returning to work, pain, and milk supply, but also limited acceptance in the community [4][5][6] . The embarrassment mothers experience when breastfeeding in public is a phenomenon that has been observed in many developed countries: the United Kingdom [6][7][8] , Ireland 9 , the United States 5,10 , Australia 11 , New Zealand 12,13 , and Hong Kong 14 .…”