Table 1

Characteristics of the study mothers and infants participating in a study to assess the effect of a peer counselling (PC) programme on breastfeeding duration and exclusivity

PC group (n = 100)

Control group (n = 100)


Demographic Characteristics

Mean maternal age, year (SD)

29.9 (5.3)

30 (4.6)

Mean age for father, year (SD)

33.7 (7.2)

33.4 (5.8)

Mother born in Hong Kong

55%

61%

Father born in Hong Kong

69%

72%

Marital Status: married

97%

97%

Primiparae

67%

55%

Previous breastfeeding experience

57.6% * (n = 33)

82.6% * (n = 45)

Mean previous breastfeeding duration:

1st child, weeks (SD)

9.8 (15.8) *

20.2 (23.1) *

2nd child, weeks (SD)

9.3 (13.6)

28 (32.3)

3rd child, weeks (SD)

-

62 (27.7)

Mothers education

Primary

4%

3%

High school

80%

89%

Tertiary

16%

8%

Fathers education

Tertiary

20%

15%

Mothers occupation

White collar

17%

11%

Blue collar

54%

46%

Student

0%

2%

Housewife

29%

41%

Maternal smoking status

Non smokers

89%

96%

Ex-smokers

9%

3%

Smokers

2%

1%

Fathers smoking status

Smokers

46%

36%

Breastfeeding Characteristics

Planned pregnancy

59%

53%

When breastfeeding decision made

Before pregnancy

30%

28%

During pregnancy

63%

63%

After the birth of the baby

7%

9%

Attended antenatal class

66%

59%

Had breastfeeding duration plan (%)

19%

28%

Report breastfeeding problem at discharge

89% *

77% *

Background Information (infants)

Male gender

52%

47%

Mean gestational age, weeks (SD)

38.9 (1.2)

39 (1.4)

Mean birth weight, grams (SD)

3151 (378)

3189 (365)

Mode of delivery

Spontaneous vaginal delivery

82%

85%

Forceps delivery

4%

7%

Vacuum delivery

14%

8%

Father present at birth

51%

41%


* Significantly different with p value < 0.05

Wong et al. International Breastfeeding Journal 2007 2:12   doi:10.1186/1746-4358-2-12

Open Data