Breastfeeding Intention and Breastfeeding Postpartum Outcomes between High-Risk and Low-Risk Pregnant Women: A Greek Prospective Cohort Study

Panagiota Brani, Irina Mrvoljak-Theodoropoulou, Fani Pechlivani, Maria Iliadou, Evangelia Antoniou, Georgios Daskalakis, Peter Drakakis and Maria Dagla ()
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Panagiota Brani: Department of Midwifery, School of Health & Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
Irina Mrvoljak-Theodoropoulou: Department of Psychology, National & Kapodistrian University of Greece, 15784 Athens, Greece
Fani Pechlivani: Department of Midwifery, School of Health & Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
Maria Iliadou: Department of Midwifery, School of Health & Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
Evangelia Antoniou: Department of Midwifery, School of Health & Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
Georgios Daskalakis: First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
Peter Drakakis: Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital “ATTIKON”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
Maria Dagla: Department of Midwifery, School of Health & Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 6, 1-18

Abstract: Background: This prospective cohort study, conducted from pregnancy to six months postpartum and grounded in STROBE methodology, quantitatively explores the relationship between antenatal breastfeeding intentions and subsequent breastfeeding outcomes among high-risk pregnant women, compared to a low-risk pregnancy group. Methods: The study was conducted in one of the largest public hospitals in Attica that provides care to pregnant women, enrolling 380 participants divided into high-risk ( n = 200) and low-risk ( n = 180) cohorts. Data were collected over 20 months (starting from the end of May 2020 until January 2022), spanning from pregnancy to six months postpartum, via comprehensive questionnaires. Results: Statistical analysis revealed a pronounced correlation between prenatal breastfeeding intentions and actual breastfeeding behaviors across both groups. Specifically, 81.1% of women in the high-risk group and 82.5% in the low-risk group expressed intentions of exclusively breastfeeding during pregnancy. By six months postpartum, 54.9% of the high-risk and 64.3% of the low-risk pregnancy group managed to sustain breastfeeding. Extended antenatal hospitalization emerged as a statistically significant factor ( p = 0.045) negatively impacting exclusive breastfeeding intentions among high-risk pregnancies. Conclusion: The findings illuminate the critical influence of antenatal intentions on breastfeeding outcomes, particularly among high-risk pregnancies. Moreover, the study identifies the detrimental effect of prolonged hospital stays on breastfeeding aspirations. These insights underscore the necessity for nuanced, supportive interventions aimed at bolstering breastfeeding rates, thereby advancing maternal and neonatal health objectives aligned with World Health Organization recommendations.

Keywords: breastfeeding; intention; high-risk pregnancy; exclusive breastfeeding; prospective cohort study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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