Jennifer Schindler-Ruwisch1, Amira Roess2, Rebecca C Robert3, Melissa Napolitano4, Emily Woody5, Paulette Thompson5, Vinu Ilakkuvan4. 1. Department of Prevention and Community Health, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia. Electronic address: jschindler-ruwisch@fairfield.edu. 2. Department of Global Health, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia. 3. Conway School of Nursing, The Catholic University of America, Washington, District of Columbia. 4. Department of Prevention and Community Health, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia. 5. The DC Department of Health, Washington, District of Columbia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In Washington, DC, African American women receiving the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits have the lowest breastfeeding rates compared with other WIC-eligible populations. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was to use the social cognitive theory and elements of social support as a guiding framework to better understand the factors affecting breastfeeding initiation and duration among African American WIC recipients in low-income areas of Washington, DC. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 24 women receiving WIC services in DC to learn about their infant feeding practices and decisions. Using a pragmatic approach, an integrated inductive and deductive coding strategy was used. RESULTS: Breastfeeding experiences were influenced by barriers at multiple levels: community (i.e., perceptions of breastfeeding in one's network), interpersonal (i.e., few supportive providers), and individual constraints (i.e., pain, supply, and latching issues) as well as environmental difficulties of finding resources to help overcome these challenges. Social support from a close family member, friend, or partner often helped to minimize many of these barriers and facilitated breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: Social support seems to bolster efficacy and help women to overcome various barriers to breastfeeding in their immediate environment; however, social support from providers was limited. WIC offers recipients in DC many helpful breastfeeding resources. Although several respondents were aware of these resources, overall use in the sample was low. Continued outreach may help further facilitate breastfeeding in African American mothers by providing additional sources of social support.
BACKGROUND: In Washington, DC, African American women receiving the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits have the lowest breastfeeding rates compared with other WIC-eligible populations. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was to use the social cognitive theory and elements of social support as a guiding framework to better understand the factors affecting breastfeeding initiation and duration among African American WIC recipients in low-income areas of Washington, DC. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 24 women receiving WIC services in DC to learn about their infant feeding practices and decisions. Using a pragmatic approach, an integrated inductive and deductive coding strategy was used. RESULTS: Breastfeeding experiences were influenced by barriers at multiple levels: community (i.e., perceptions of breastfeeding in one's network), interpersonal (i.e., few supportive providers), and individual constraints (i.e., pain, supply, and latching issues) as well as environmental difficulties of finding resources to help overcome these challenges. Social support from a close family member, friend, or partner often helped to minimize many of these barriers and facilitated breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: Social support seems to bolster efficacy and help women to overcome various barriers to breastfeeding in their immediate environment; however, social support from providers was limited. WIC offers recipients in DC many helpful breastfeeding resources. Although several respondents were aware of these resources, overall use in the sample was low. Continued outreach may help further facilitate breastfeeding in African American mothers by providing additional sources of social support.
Authors: Jeni Hebert-Beirne; Deepa R Camenga; Aimee S James; Sonya S Brady; Diane K Newman; Kathryn L Burgio; Lisa Kane Low; Cecilia T Hardacker; Sheila Gahagan; Beverly Rosa Williams Journal: Qual Health Res Date: 2021-02
Authors: Christine Borger; Nancy S Weinfield; Courtney Paolicelli; Brenda Sun; Laurie May Journal: Breastfeed Med Date: 2021-07-15 Impact factor: 1.817