We assessed awareness of the maternal health benefits of lactation among a sample of nulliparous pregnant individuals in the United States, identified variables associated with awareness of these benefits, and examined whether awareness of these benefits impacts breastfeeding attitudes or intentions. We administered a web-based survey to nulliparous U.S.-born individuals carrying a singleton gestation of at least 28 weeks. We assessed awareness of the maternal health benefits of lactation using 10 items to create a summative score. We examined variation in awareness of these benefits by demographic characteristics, health insurance, and personal or family health history and used multivariable models to estimate associations between awareness of the maternal health benefits of lactation and breastfeeding intentions. Of the 675 individuals invited to complete surveys, 451 (67%) responded. Only 50% were aware that breastfeeding lowers maternal risk of breast cancer; fewer were aware that breastfeeding lowers the risk of ovarian cancer (35%), diabetes (27%), and hypertension and heart disease (26%). Awareness of the maternal benefits of lactation did not vary by age or race/ethnicity. However, significant regional variation was noted. In multivariable models, scores of awareness of the maternal health benefits of breastfeeding were significantly associated with intentions to breastfeed for at least 12 months (adjusted odds ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.11, 1.37). Efforts to increase awareness of the maternal health benefits of lactation are still needed. Increasing awareness of the maternal health benefits of lactation may strengthen intentions to breastfeed as recommended.

中文翻译：

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美国孕妇对哺乳对孕产妇健康益处的认识

我们评估了美国未产妇样本中哺乳对孕产妇健康益处的认识，确定了与这些益处的认识相关的变量，并检查了对这些益处的认识是否会影响母乳喂养的态度或意图。我们对美国出生、单胎妊娠至少 28 周的未生育个体进行了一项网络调查。我们使用 10 个项目评估了对哺乳对孕产妇健康益处的认识，并得出了总分。我们研究了人口特征、健康保险以及个人或家庭健康史对这些益处的认识的变化，并使用多变量模型来估计对哺乳期孕产妇健康益处的认识与母乳喂养意愿之间的关联。在受邀完成调查的 675 人中，有 451 人 (67%) 做出了回应。只有 50% 的人意识到母乳喂养可以降低母亲患乳腺癌的风险；很少有人意识到母乳喂养可以降低患卵巢癌（35%）、糖尿病（27%）、高血压和心脏病（26%）的风险。对哺乳对母亲益处的认识不因年龄或种族/民族而异。然而，人们注意到显着的区域差异。在多变量模型中，母乳喂养对孕产妇健康益处的认知得分与母乳喂养至少 12 个月的意愿显着相关（调整后的比值比，1.23；95% 置信区间，1.11，1.37）。仍然需要努力提高人们对哺乳对孕产妇健康益处的认识。提高对哺乳对孕产妇健康益处的认识可能会增强按照建议进行母乳喂养的意愿。