Table 4.
<1 month | 1–3 months | >4 months | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
(n 1180) | (n 841) | (n 908) | χ 2 P value | |
In-person contacts‡ | ||||
Less than optimal | 7·0 | 5·1 | 2·5 | |
Optimal | 72·6 | 66·7 | 53·2 | <0·001 |
Greater than optimal | 20·3 | 28·2 | 44·3 | |
Phone contacts§ | ||||
Less than optimal | 34·6 | 51·5 | 68·5 | |
Optimal | 56·4 | 37·8 | 25·1 | <0·001 |
Greater than optimal | 9·0 | 10·6 | 6·4 |
BFI, Breastfeeding Initiative.
Data presented are percentages of women in each category.
Based on BFI Program guidelines for scheduled prenatal phone contacts and home visits, early postnatal hospital and home visits, and postnatal phone contacts.
In-person contacts include visits in the hospital after delivery and home visits. ‘Optimal’ is defined as 1–3 contacts regardless of time in programme.
The ‘optimal’ quantity of phone contacts is dependent on time in programme: <1 month=2–6 contacts; 1–3 months=4–8 contacts; 4–6 months=7–11 contacts; 7–9 months=10–14 contacts; >9 months=12–17 contacts.