Breastfeeding and health promotion: the experience of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal mothers
Dawn Gilchrist, Goldfields South-East Health Region, Western Australia
Beth Woods, Colin W. Binns, Michael Gracey, School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia
Jane Scott, Division of Developmental Medicine, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
Hannah Smith (nee Herod), School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia

Abstract

Issue addressed:
To compare the sources of information about breastfeeding given to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal mothers in Australia.

Methods:
Cohort studies were undertaken on two groups of mothers who gave birth in the Perth metropolitan area; the Perth Infant Feeding Study and the Perth Aboriginal Breastfeeding Study. Similar questions were asked of 556 non-Aboriginal and 425 Aboriginal mothers.

Results:
Aboriginal mothers were more likely (88%) to be given a pamphlet about breastfeeding than non-Aboriginal mothers (56%). On the other hand, they were far less likely to receive any other form of education about breastfeeding. Aboriginal mothers were less likely to have discussed potential infant feeding methods with the baby's father prior to delivery.

Conclusion:
Aboriginal mothers are less likely to participate in health promotion activities about breastfeeding.

Keywords:
Aboriginal women, antenatal education, health promotion, breastfeeding.



Health Promotion Journal of Australia 2004;15:226-30