An examination of attitudes, knowledge, and clinical practices among Pennsylvania pediatricians regarding breastfeeding and smoking

[Smoking and Breastfeeding - CNGOF-SFT Expert Report and Guidelines on the management for Smoking Management During Pregnancy]

INTRODUCTION

The consequences of smoking have been studied more during pregnancy than during breastfeeding. There is a passage of nicotine and other substances in breast milk and some modifications of milk composition. The objectives of this chapter are to study the benefits of breastfeeding in women who smoke, and the adaptation of smoking, medication and behavioral habits in case of incomplete withdrawal to better guide women.

METHODS

The Medline database, the Cochrane Library and foreign guidelines from 1999 to 2019 have been consulted.

RESULTS

The conservation of the benefit of breastfeeding in smokers with regard to the prevention of respiratory infections, infantile colic, cognitive deficits, obesity, sudden infant death, is not known to date. It is therefore not recommended to include smoking status in the choice of feeding mode for the newborn (professional agreement). However, since breastfeeding is a factor associated with a reduction in smoking and/or withdrawal (NP2), it is recommended to promote breastfeeding in non-weaned women in order to limit smoking (grade B). The use of nicotine replacement therapy is possible during breastfeeding (professional agreement). In the absence of data, bupropion (Zyban®) and varenicline (Champix®) are not recommended for women who are breastfeeding (professional agreement). A free interval between smoking and breastfeeding reduces the concentration of nicotine in milk (NP4). For non-weaned women who are breastfeeding, it is therefore recommended not to smoke just before breastfeeding (professional agreement).

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that breastfeeding is possible in smokers, although less often initiated by them. If the conservation of its benefits for the child is not demonstrated to date, breastfeeding allows the mother to limit smoking.

[Management of Resumption Risk in Postpartum for Women who Quit Smoking During Pregnancy - CNGOF-SFT Expert Report and Guidelines for Smoking Management During Pregnancy]

According to the 2016 National Perinatal Survey, 30.0 % of women smoked before pregnancy, 45.8 % quit smoking in the 1st or 2nd trimester. Many do this only for pregnancy and the risk of postpartum relapse is high (up to 82 % at 1 year). The main factors associated with postpartum abstinence are breastfeeding, not having a smoker at home, and having no symptoms of postpartum depression. No drug treatment can be recommended to prevent the smoking postpartum relapse. Only global counseling can prevent this risk.

Pediatric Office Delivery of Smoking Cessation Assistance for Breast-Feeding Mothers

INTRODUCTION

National and international organizations have done an excellent job of advocating and promoting breast feeding for all mothers. This study assessed to what extent an intervention increased delivery of cessation assistance to breast-feeding mothers who smoke.

METHODS

Data were collected between April and October 2015 in five US states as part of a cluster randomized controlled trial in 10 pediatric practices. Practices were randomized to the Clinical Effort Against Secondhand Smoke Exposure (CEASE) intervention or usual care control arms. Mothers were asked about their smoking status and breast-feeding history during a screening interview upon exiting the practice and eligible mothers who agreed to participate in an enrollment interview were asked if they received smoking cessation assistance during their child's visit. Mothers with a child 1 year old and younger were included in the analyses.

RESULTS

Current breast feeding was associated with a reduced likelihood of current smoking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.38, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.25 to 0.57) and a greater likelihood of quitting smoking (aOR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.29 to 4.21) after controlling for known confounders. Mothers who concurrently smoked and breast-fed were more likely to be asked about smoking (66.7% vs. 28.6%, p = .01), advised to quit (61.1% vs. 21.4%, p < .01), prescribed nicotine replacement therapy (50.0% vs. 0%, p < .001), and enrolled into the quitline (27.8% vs. 0%, p < .01) at CEASE practices compared to control practices.

CONCLUSION

Breast-feeding mothers were less likely to be current smokers and more likely to have recently quit smoking. Among mothers who continue to smoke and breast feed, the CEASE intervention enhances delivery of smoking cessation assistance.

IMPLICATIONS

Breast feeding and eliminating infants' exposure to tobacco smoke are important protective factors for serious pediatric health risks including sudden infant death. This study shows that breast feeding was positively associated with desirable tobacco control outcomes, specifically that breast feeding was associated with a lower likelihood of smoking among ever smokers and a greater likelihood of recently quitting smoking. This is also the first study to look specifically at delivery of smoking cessation assistance to breast-feeding mothers seen at pediatric offices and demonstrates the effectiveness of delivering evidence-based smoking cessation assistance to them in this context.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier NCT01882348).

Pediatricians' knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding menstruation and feminine products

Objective This study investigates whether primary care pediatricians adhere to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations by routinely evaluating patients' menstrual cycles and educating patients about menstruation and feminine products. Additionally, this study examines pediatricians' knowledge and attitudes surrounding menstrual health topics. Methods A 53-item online questionnaire was developed to evaluate pediatricians' knowledge, attitudes and clinical practices regarding menstruation-related topics. The questionnaire was emailed to 2500 AAP members using a geographically-stratified sampling approach, with pediatricians in each state selected randomly. Mann-Whitney U tests, t-tests, and logistic regressions were used to assess associations between correlates and pediatricians' knowledge, attitudes and practices. Results Five hundred and eighteen out of 2500 pediatricians participated (response rate = 20.7%), 462 met inclusion criteria; 78.8% were female, 79.2% were Caucasian. The majority of the pediatricians (58.2%) were "not at all" or only "slightly" familiar with the AAP guidelines on anticipatory guidance surrounding menarche. Many reported they do not routinely provide anticipatory guidance regarding menstruation to pre-menarchal patients (24.7%), discuss menstruation with post-menarchal patients (33.1%) or ask patients the date of their last period (28.4%). The majority were unlikely to discuss feminine products with patients. Gaps in menstruation-related knowledge were noted. Male pediatricians were significantly less likely to evaluate patients' menstrual cycles and provide patient-education regarding menstruation-related topics, and had significantly lower self-rated and measured knowledge of these topics. Conclusions A concerning number of pediatricians in a national sample do not abide by AAP recommendations surrounding menstruation and exhibit knowledge gaps in this area. To effectively address the health needs of female patients, pediatricians should better incorporate menstrual health care into their clinical practice.

Longer previous smoking abstinence relates to successful breastfeeding initiation among underserved smokers

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine sociodemographic and behavioral factors related to successful breastfeeding initiation among medically underserved maternal smokers-a population with persistently low rates of initiation.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Pretreatment data from a larger randomized behavioral counseling, secondhand smoke reduction trial was examined for this study. Maternal smokers with babies younger than 4 years old reported breastfeeding behaviors. Mothers who breastfed for >4 weeks (n = 50) were matched with mothers who never initiated breastfeeding based on infant age, gender, and maternal race. Multinomial logistic regression analysis tested the hypothesis that a greater duration of mothers' longest previous smoking abstinence would predict successful breastfeeding initiation in the context of other sociodemographic and behavioral factors known to relate to breastfeeding (e.g., education level, income, and maternal age).

RESULTS

The sample consisted of current maternal smokers with a mean age of 28.8 ± 7.1 years. Among participants, 94% were African American, 81% were single, 63% reported an annual family income less than $15,000, and 76% had completed a high school education or less. Logistic regression demonstrated that a longer duration of previous smoking abstinence and education beyond high school predicted breastfeeding initiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal smokers' previous success at smoking abstinence may increase the likelihood of successful breastfeeding initiation. To improve prenatal health education for maternal smokers with low education levels, researchers should explore the utility of merging smoking cessation and postpartum relapse prevention advice within the context of lactation counseling to maximize success of smokers' efforts to initiate breastfeeding.

Knowledge, misconceptions, and future intentions towards breastfeeding among female university students in Kuwait

A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted on female university students (N = 1106) to explore their knowledge and misconceptions on breastfeeding. Most participants recognized the benefits of breastfeeding, but only a few were aware of the recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life. Misconceptions were common; 66%, 60%, and 55% of participants thought mothers should temporarily stop breastfeeding if they had a fever, skin rash, or sore throat, respectively. Approximately 20% thought mothers should stop breastfeeding if the child had diarrhea, vomiting, or skin rash. Support of breastfeeding in public places was low, but 38% supported breastfeeding in female prayer rooms in public places. Efforts should be made to correct common misconceptions on breastfeeding and increase the support of breastfeeding in public places among university students. Female prayer rooms that exist in all public places in Kuwait can be used to promote breastfeeding in public places in Kuwait.

[Prenatal breastfeeding information: survey in Pays de Loire, France]

OBJECTIVES

The main aim of this study was to evaluate how well expectant mothers were informed on breastfeeding by healthcare professionals. The secondary objective was to determine the factors associated with the initiation of breastfeeding.

POPULATION AND METHODS

The survey was conducted in a group of 500 women who had delivered at the Angers Hospital (France), based on a questionnaire filled out by the postpartum women during their hospital stay.

RESULTS

The rate of breastfeeding was 61.2%. More than a quarter (26.9%) of the women did not receive any prenatal breastfeeding information. The survey showed that 77.8% of the women had been informed of breastfeeding advantages for infants and 51.5% of breastfeeding advantages for themselves. Only 27.5% had received the advice of exclusive breastfeeding for 6months. Only 5.2% had been informed of the uselessness of breast preparation during pregnancy and a minority had been informed of correct and incorrect breastfeeding contraindications. Only 15.4% of fathers had been involved in a discussion on infant feeding practices during prenatal consultations. Only 4.8% of the women had come to prenatal classes on breastfeeding with a relative. The maternal factors positively associated with breastfeeding initiation were age between 25 and 34 years, non-French origin, a high socioeconomic status, being married, having been breastfed, and having previous experience with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding initiation was negatively associated with maternal smoking. All the factors concerning prenatal breastfeeding information in women were associated with the choice of breastfeeding.

CONCLUSION

This study pointed out the populations at risk of not breastfeeding. Breastfeeding information given to pregnant women by healthcare professionals may influence them on whether or not they choose to breastfeed their newborn. However, this survey showed that women are insufficiently informed on prenatal breastfeeding. Therefore, prenatal breastfeeding information should be improved.

Breastfeeding initiation in a rural sample: predictive factors and the role of smoking

The study objective was to identify demographic, medical, and health behavior factors that predict breastfeeding initiation in a rural population with low breastfeeding rates. Participants were 2323 women who experienced consecutive deliveries at 2 hospitals, with data obtained through detailed chart review. Only half the women initiated breastfeeding, which was significantly associated with higher levels of education, private insurance, nonsmoking and non-drug-using status, and primiparity, after controlling for confounders. Follow-up analyses revealed that smoking status was the strongest predictor of failure to breastfeed, with nonsmokers nearly twice as likely to breastfeed as smokers and with those who had smoked a pack per day or more the least likely to breastfeed. Findings reveal many factors placing women at risk for not breastfeeding and suggest that intervention efforts should encourage a combination of smoking cessation and breastfeeding while emphasizing that breastfeeding is not contraindicated even if the mother continues to smoke.

Breastfeeding attitudes of Finnish parents during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Breastfeeding attitudes are known to influence infant feeding but little information exists on the prenatal breastfeeding attitudes of parents. The purpose of this study was to describe Finnish parents' prenatal breastfeeding attitudes and their relationships with demographic characteristics.

METHODS

The electronic Breastfeeding Knowledge, Attitude and Confidence scale was developed and 172 people (123 mothers, 49 fathers) completed the study. The data were analysed using factor analysis and nonparametric methods.

RESULTS

Breastfeeding was regarded as important, but 54% of the respondents wanted both parents to feed the newborn. The mean rank values of breastfeeding attitudes differed significantly when parity, gender, education, age, breastfeeding history and level of breastfeeding knowledge were considered. The respondents who were expecting their first child, were 18-26 years old or had vocational qualifications or moderate breastfeeding knowledge had more negative feelings and were more worried about breastfeeding than respondents who had at least one child, had a higher vocational diploma or academic degree or had high levels of breastfeeding knowledge. Respondents with high levels of breastfeeding knowledge did not appear concerned about equality in feeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Both mothers and fathers found breastfeeding important. A father's eagerness to participate in their newborn's life should be included in prenatal breastfeeding counselling and ways in which to support breastfeeding discussed. Relevant information about breastfeeding should focus on the parents who are expecting their first child, those who are young, those with low levels of education or those who have gaps in breastfeeding knowledge, so that fears and negative views can be resolved.