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

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.