This study investigated the association between WIC participation and breastfeeding behaviors among white and black women in Mississippi. analysis of data from the 2004;2008 Mississippi Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System revealed that 52.2 % of white women and 82.1 % of black women participated in WIC. A total of 60.4 % of white women and 39.7 % of black women initiated breastfeeding, and 26.5 % and 21.9 %, respectively, were breastfeeding at 10 weeks postpartum. WIC participation was negatively associated with breastfeeding initiation among whites, but not blacks.
Mississippi was selected as a pilot state in the national breastfeeding promotion campaign titled Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work; To reinforce the national project, the Mississippi WIC Breastfeeding Promotion Project Team developed a comprehensive program that included patient and family education, staff training, public awareness activities, health professional outreach, and partnership with the community. WIC staff cited staff training, community outreach, and peer counseling as the most beneficial activities.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work; campaign on healthcare providers in Mississippi. This study showed that this national breastfeeding promotion had a positive impact on nurses; breastfeeding awareness and practices.
This study assessed the impact of a breastfeeding promotion project, which combined physical improvements of the clinic and staff training, implemented by the state of Mississippi. Results showed that the project improved the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, confidence, and practice of staff in the intervention clinics.
WIC participation was negatively associated with breastfeeding initiation among whites but not blacks. WIC participation was not associated with breastfeeding duration for women of either race.
