Acculturative type is associated with breastfeeding duration among low-income Latinas

We sought to assess the relationship between acculturative type and breastfeeding outcomes among low-income Latinas, utilising a multidimensional assessment of acculturation. We analysed data derived from a breastfeeding peer counselling randomised trial. Acculturation was assessed during pregnancy using a modified Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans scale. Analyses were restricted to Latinas who completed the acculturation scale and had post-partum breastfeeding data (n=114). Cox survival analyses were conducted to evaluate differences in breastfeeding continuation and exclusivity by acculturative type. Participants were classified as integrated-high (23.7%, n=27), traditional Hispanic (36.8%, n=42), integrated-low (12.3%, n=14) and assimilated (27.2%, n=31). The integrated-low group was significantly more likely to continue breastfeeding than the traditional Hispanic, assimilated, and integrated-high groups (P<0.05, P<0.05, and P<0.01, respectively). The traditional Hispanic group was marginally more likely to continue breastfeeding than the integrated-high group (P=0.06). Breastfeeding continuation rates vary significantly between acculturative types in this multinational, low-income Latina sample. Multidimensional assessments of acculturation may prove useful in better tailoring future breastfeeding promotion interventions.