Mothers’ Gender-role Ideologies and Exclusive Breastfeeding in Western Rural China: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Abstract
Background: Shifts in women’s maternal roles may contribute to the global low prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding. Research Aim: To investigate the association between maternal gender-role ideologies and exclusive breastfeeding in rural China. Methods: Cross-sectional studies were conducted in 10 counties in Shaanxi Province using random sampling in 2021 and 2023. Data on breastfeeding practices, maternal gender-role ideology, and expected educational attainment from 586 rural participants were collected through structured questionnaires. Multivariable regression analysis was employed to explore the association between maternal gender-role ideology and exclusive breastfeeding. Results: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding within 6 months in rural western China was 18.8%. Women with more egalitarian gender-role ideologies were more likely to engage in exclusive breastfeeding ( OR = 1.34, 95% CI [1.04, 1.72]), particularly for female infants ( OR = 1.63, 95% CI [1.09, 2.43]). Furthermore, women with stronger egalitarian gender-role ideologies were found to exhibit a greater propensity for financial investment in their children ( Beta = 0.20, 95% CI [0.01, 0.40]) and hold higher educational expectations for their daughters ( OR = 1.50, 95% CI [1.00, 2.25]). Conclusion: Maternal gender-role ideology positively correlates with exclusive breastfeeding. More policies should be implemented on gender equality in rural China, and cultural perspectives should be incorporated into the analysis of breastfeeding practice.
Funding Information
  • Social Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province (2022P192)
  • Social Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province (2022F006)
  • Ministry of Education Key Projects of Philosophy and Social Sciences Research (22YJC840023)
  • Shaanxi Normal University (LHRCCX23122)
  • Shaanxi Normal University (LHRCTS23019)
  • the Ministry of Education’s 111 Project (Grant number: B16031)
  • Shaanxi Province Family Education Research Project (JTJY2024001ZD)

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