Informing the ‘early years’ agenda in Scotland: understanding infant feeding patterns using linked datasets

Abstract

BackgroundProviding infants with the ‘best possible start in life’ is a priority for the Scottish Government. This is reflected in policy and health promotion strategies to increase breast feeding, which gives the best source of nutrients for healthy infant growth and development. However, the rate of breast feeding in Scotland remains one of the lowest in Europe. Information is needed to provide a better understanding of infant feeding and its impact on child health. This paper describes the development of a unique population-wide resource created to explore infant feeding and child health in Scotland.MethodsDescriptive and multivariate analyses of linked routine/administrative maternal and infant health records for 731 595 infants born in Scotland between 1997 and 2009.ResultsA linked dataset was created containing a wide range of background, parental, maternal, birth and health service characteristics for a representative sample of infants born in Scotland over the study period. There was high coverage and completeness of infant feeding and other demographic, maternal and infant records. The results confirmed the importance of an enabling environment—cultural, family, health service and other maternal and infant health-related factors—in increasing the likelihood to breast feed.ConclusionsUsing the linked dataset, it was possible to investigate the determinants of breast feeding for a representative sample of Scottish infants born between 1997 and 2009. The linked dataset is an important resource that has potential uses in research, policy design and targeting intervention programmes.

Breastfeeding in England: time trends 2005–2006 to 2012–2013 and inequalities by area profile

“…Prompt access to local data on infant feeding is essential for those involved in commissioning and delivering services. A recent study in Scotland has highlighted the potential for using linked data to monitor infant feeding patterns at the individual level (Ajetunmobi et al 2014), though it is not clear whether a similar approach could be utilised in England. This analysis was conducted at PCT level: PCTs were abolished in 2013 and their main functions replaced by Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG).…”

Breastfeeding is Associated with Reduced Childhood Hospitalization: Evidence from a Scottish Birth Cohort (1997-2009)

“…Phase 1 comprised linkage of births, deaths, migration, maternity, infant health, and child health surveillance review records, 16 which was extended in Phase 2 to include episodes of hospital admission from birth until March 2012. Thus, each child in the cohort could be followed up from birth for at least 2.25 years and up to 15 years (depending on their birth year).…”

“…Adjustment was made for parental factors, delivery and infant health characteristics, and features of the health care system 16 . In addition, area deprivation derived using postcode at birth based on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (2006 17 ) and maternal ethnic and religious background derived from the mother's given name (ie, OnoMAP 18 ) were included in the analyses.…”

Protocol for establishing an infant feeding database linkable with population-based administrative data: a prospective cohort study in Manitoba, Canada

“…23 25-28 For example, researchers in Europe and Australia have been using linked administrative health data to monitor breastfeeding initiation and duration rates for the last two decades. [29][30][31][32] In Canada, studies have used breastfeeding initiation data obtained from the birth hospital discharge abstracts to track trends and inequities in breastfeeding initiation and examine outcomes associated with initiating breast feeding during the first days of life. 13 33 Although providers routinely ask questions about infant-feeding practices during well-baby visits throughout the first year of life, including questions about breastfeeding duration, this information is seldom integrated into a centralised database.…”