Factors associated with breastfeeding initiation and maintenance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia: A systematic review and narrative analysis.

Women Birth

Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Health Equity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; NGANGK YIRA: Murdoch University Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Australia; The Lowitja Institute, Australia. Electronic address:

Published: March 2023

Background: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter referred to as Aboriginal) women breastfeed at lower rates than non-Aboriginal women. Little is known about factors associated with breastfeeding specific to Aboriginal women and infants.

Aim: Determine the protective and risk factors associated with breastfeeding for Aboriginal women in Australia.

Methods: CINAHL, Medline, EMBASE, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane library were searched for peer-reviewed literature published between 1995 and 2021. Quantitative studies written in English reporting protective and risk factors associated with breastfeeding for Aboriginal women or women having an Aboriginal infant were included. Ten percent of papers were co-screened, and two reviewers completed data extraction. Narrative data synthesis was used.

Findings: The initial search identified 12,091 records, with 31 full text studies retrieved, and 17 reports from 14 studies met inclusion criteria. Protective factors included living in a remote area, attending an Aboriginal-specific service, attending a regional service, higher levels of education attainment, increased maternal age, living in larger households, being partnered, and having a higher reported number of stressful events and social health issues. The identified risk factors were smoking in pregnancy, admission to SCN or NICU, and being multiparous.

Conclusion: This review identified factors associated with breastfeeding for Aboriginal women. Government focus, support, and consistent funding are required to plan and implement evidence-based interventions and services for Aboriginal women and infants in urban, rural, remote, and very remote locations. Rigorous research is required to understand the Aboriginal-specific factors associated with breastfeeding to improve rates and health outcomes for Aboriginal women and infants.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2022.06.012DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

aboriginal women
28
factors associated
24
associated breastfeeding
24
risk factors
12
breastfeeding aboriginal
12
aboriginal
10
women
10
factors
8
aboriginal torres
8
torres strait
8

Similar Publications

Background: A culturally responsive health workforce is essential to ensure the delivery of culturally safe health services that meet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples needs. In partnership with universities, placement providers play an essential role in creating opportunities for immersive experiences that enable students to develop their cultural responsiveness. This study evaluated students' experiences of an innovative student placement model embedded within an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Health Organisation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To assess the distribution of blood pressure levels and the prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension in young Indigenous people (10-24 years of age).

Study Design: Prospective cohort survey study (Next Generation: Youth Wellbeing Study); baseline data analysis.

Setting, Participants: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 10-24 years living in regional, remote, and urban communities in Central Australia, Western Australia, and New South Wales; recruitment: March 2018 - March 2020.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

First Nations women's experiences of out-of-hospital childbirth: Insights for enhancing paramedic practice - A scoping review.

Australas Emerg Care

December 2024

School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Southern Queensland and Centre for Rural Health, Ipswich Campus, 11 Salisbury Rd, Jagera, Yuggera, Ugarapul Country, Ipswich, QLD, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: Birthing on Country principles in Australia have seen a revitalisation in midwifery care over the last decade with it being seen as a metaphor for the best start to life for First Nations peoples. This scoping review aimed to explore the extent of evidence of Australian First Nations women's experiences of out-of-hospital childbirth and the alignment with Birthing on Country principles to inform paramedic practice.

Methods: Four databases were searched including MEDLINE, CINAHL, EBSCOhost Health and Scopus utilising the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for Scoping Reviews.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Navigating the challenge of high-grade cervical lesions (CIN3) in pregnancy: a near miss.

BMJ Case Rep

December 2024

Procedural Obstetrics and Emergency, WA Country Health Service, Karratha, Western Australia, Australia.

Article Synopsis
  • - A pregnant Indigenous woman with advanced cervical lesions was lost to follow-up for over 5 years, presenting challenges in management due to risks associated with pregnancy.
  • - This case highlights the complexities of dealing with high-grade cervical lesions during pregnancy and points to the urgent need for equitable screening and culturally sensitive care in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
  • - After giving birth, the woman underwent a procedure that revealed extensive cervical lesions, and she now requires ongoing monitoring, raising concerns about her continued risk of falling out of the healthcare system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Sex-based disparities in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presentations exist and women often have worse outcomes after an ACS event. Calling the emergency medical services (EMS) initiates prehospital diagnosis and treatment and reduces in-hospital time to treatment. This study aims to identify factors affecting the intention to call EMS and EMS usage in Australian women and men.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!