Timing and social patterning of weaning practices in Cyprus: BrEaST start in life longitudinal study

Abstract Background Introduction of solids in the infant diet, according to WHO recommendations, should initiate onwards of sixth months. Evidence, however, suggests that solids introduction occurs earlier even if breastfeeding continues. With low breastfeeding rates, Cyprus is ranking last in Europe and little is known about the timing and socio-demographic pattern of solid introduction. Methods Using the retrospective event calendar method at the 4th and 6th month after birth, the timing of initiation of solids was estimated among a consecutive sample of 350 mother-baby dyads from all public (N = 5) and 29 (of 35) private maternity clinics. The likelihood of early introduction according to socio-demographic characteristics and breastfeeding self-efficacy (measured at birth and 1st month) was estimated in logistic regression models. Results Three out of ten women (30.8%) had initiated solids before the 4th month and only 20% hadn't by the 6th month. Almost half of non-Cypriot mothers (47.1%) initiated solids earlier than the 5th month, twice more likely compared to 25.1% of Cypriot mothers (OR: 2.45 95% CI: 1.30-4.57). There was a stepwise association with educational attainment with mothers with tertiary education more likely to initiate solids later (OR: 2.76 95% CI: 1.33-5.71) compared to those with at most secondary education. A similar social gradient was observed with income but was not statistically significant in multivariable models, while no association was observed with mode of birth (55.9% by C/S). Even though low breastfeeding self-efficacy at first month was predictive of earlier initiation, surprisingly, primiparous or multiparous mothers without previous breastfeeding experience were more likely to initiate solids later. Conclusions Early introduction of solids with a clear social gradient suggests the need for strengthening the currently weak community-based interventions to improve weaning practices, including screening for breastfeeding self-efficacy. Key messages • Four in five mums in Cyprus introduce solids before the 6th month with one in three introducing solids in the infant’s diet before the 4th month, with a clear social gradient in the patterning. • Community-based intervention programmes are needed to improve weaning practices, including screening for low breastfeeding self-efficacy in a country with low breastfeeding rates.


Background:
According to the COVID-19 pandemic progress, the increase in online learning and communication, the survey shows that 36.3% of children have been bullied online (Children's Welfare Alliance, 2021). However, campus bullying has long-term effects on students' physiology and psychology, and will also extend to society in the future to form a social problem. Aims: It is generally believed that university students are relatively mature and have more freedom in taking courses. They believe that there are few bullying incidents that need attention on university campuses. Therefore, to understand the patterns of bullying on university campuses of nursing in Taiwan through this study.

Methods:
Referring to the definition and selecting the published within good reliability and validity of 'University Students' Campus Life Experience and Interpersonal Interaction Experience Survey', the subjects in domestic university campuses choose the closest answer according to their own situation.

Results:
In a total of 2570 valid questionnaires, the highest incidence of verbal bullying (38%), and those who don't want to answer gender ''experienced bullying in person'' (42.9%). Gender was shown to be statistically significant in bullying experience (p = .017). It shows that university students of nursing in Taiwan have obvious room for improvement in gender issues.

Conclusions:
Through this study, it is known that campus bullying exists in different types of experiences on university campuses of nursing in Taiwan. The bullying impact is often not only in school, and the impact will even extend to enter social work. Faculties must also be the gatekeepers of bullying prevention, but in fact, even senior faculties may not be very clear about what bullying is, how to properly handle bullying incidents, and how to prevent bullying, so every faculty should have the ability to take appropriate, fast and effective treatment when bullying occurs.

Key messages:
Campus bullying has long-term effects on students' physiology and psychology, and will also extend to society in the future to form a social problem. Verbal bullying (38%) had the highest incidence, those who don't want to answer gender ''experienced bullying in person'' (42.9%).

Background:
Introduction of solids in the infant diet, according to WHO recommendations, should initiate onwards of sixth months. Evidence, however, suggests that solids introduction occurs earlier even if breastfeeding continues. With low breastfeeding rates, Cyprus is ranking last in Europe and little is known about the timing and socio-demographic pattern of solid introduction.

Methods:
Using the retrospective event calendar method at the 4th and 6th month after birth, the timing of initiation of solids was estimated among a consecutive sample of 350 mother-baby dyads from all public (N = 5) and 29 (of 35) private maternity clinics. The likelihood of early introduction according to socio-demographic characteristics and breastfeeding self-efficacy (measured at birth and 1st month) was estimated in logistic regression models.

Results:
Three out of ten women (30.8%) had initiated solids before the 4th month and only 20% hadn't by the 6th month. Almost half of non-Cypriot mothers (47.1%) initiated solids earlier than the 5th month, twice more likely compared to 25.1% of Cypriot mothers (OR: 2.45 95% CI: 1.30-4.57). There was a stepwise association with educational attainment with mothers with tertiary education more likely to initiate solids later (OR: 2.76 95% CI: 1.33-5.71) compared to those with at most secondary education. A similar social gradient was observed with income but was not statistically significant in multivariable models, while no association was observed with mode of birth (55.9% by C/S). Even though low breastfeeding selfefficacy at first month was predictive of earlier initiation, surprisingly, primiparous or multiparous mothers without previous breastfeeding experience were more likely to initiate solids later.

Conclusions:
Early introduction of solids with a clear social gradient suggests the need for strengthening the currently weak community-based interventions to improve weaning practices, including screening for breastfeeding self-efficacy. Key messages: Four in five mums in Cyprus introduce solids before the 6th month with one in three introducing solids in the infant's diet before the 4th month, with a clear social gradient in the patterning.
iii584 European Journal of Public Health, Volume 32 Supplement 3, 2022