Table 1.
Comparison of Characteristics of Socioeconomically Marginalized (n=73) and Socioeconomically Privileged (n=378) Participants Who Intended to Breastfeed
| Variable | SEM population (n=73) | SEP population (n=378) |
|---|---|---|
| Prenatal | % of n | % of n |
| Mother/birthing parent age 18–25 years | 47.9 | 2.9 |
| Marital status: unpartnered | 34.2 | 0.8 |
| Lower than average prenatal IIFAS score (≤68.1) | 53.4 | 38.4 |
| No previous breastfeeding experience | 71.2 | 58.2 |
| Never breastfed as an infant | 58.9 | 55.6 |
| Residence in a rural community-small towna | 74.0 | 45.2 |
| Currently smoking | 12.3 | 1.1 |
| Peri-natal | ||
| Cesarean section | 26.0 | 27.8 |
| <1 h skin-to-skin contact after birth | 68.5 | 64.0 |
| Negative first impression of breastfeeding | 50.7 | 36.8 |
| Inhospital supplementation | 39.7 | 24.6 |
| Postnatal | ||
| Breastfeeding cessation by 1 month | 24.7 | 6.9 |
| Mixed formula and breastfeeding in first month | 43.8 | 19.6 |
| Exclusively breastfed for first month | 31.5 | 73.5 |
a
Rural-small town residence was calculated using the Statistics Canada Postal Code Conversation File provided by the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information. “Rural-small town residence” includes out-of-population center (rural) and small population center (1000 to 29,999), while “Urban residence” includes large urban population center (100,000 or greater). (There are no NL communities classified as medium population centers.)
IIFAS, Iowa Infant Feeding Assessment Scale; NL, Newfoundland and Labrador; SEM, socioeconomically marginalized; SEP, socioeconomically privileged.