Couples' Immigration Status and Ethnicity as Determinants of Breastfeeding
Christina M. Gibson-Davis 1*Jeanne Brooks-Gunn 2
1 Duke University 2 Columbia University
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: cgibson{at}duke.edu.
Abstract
Objectives: We investigated how couples' immigration statusand ethnicity determined the decision to initiate breastfeedingand to breastfeed at 6 months.
Methods: From data collectedon 4207 mothers and 3013 fathers participating in a longitudinalbirth cohort study, we used linear regression and covariateadjustedproportions to estimate the determinants of breastfeeding behaviors.The sample was divided by immigration status (either foreignborn or born in the United States) and further subdivided byethnicity (Mexican Hispanic, non-Mexican Hispanic, and non-Hispanic).
Results:Mothers born in the United States had an 85% reduction in theodds of breastfeeding as compared to foreign-born mothers anda 66% reduction in the odds of breastfeeding at 6 months. Eachadditional year of US residency decreased the odds of breastfeedingby 4%. These differences by immigration status were seen forMexicans, other Hispanics, and non-Hispanics.
Conclusion: TheHispanic paradox may extend to other non-Hispanic immigrantsfor breastfeeding behaviors, but may not be true for Hispanicmothers born in the United States. Low rates of breastfeedingfor Hispanic American mothers indicate that they should notbe overlooked by breastfeeding promotion programs.
Key Words:
Maternal and Infant Health, Hispanics/Latinos, Race/Ethnicity, Social Science, Socioeconomic Factors, Surveys
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