Wide disparities in breastfeeding exist among various racial and ethnic groups with the lowest rates occurring among minority and low-income women. This study adds to existing knowledge by offering a systematic analysis of the reasons mothers initiate and/or terminate breastfeeding and the barriers and enabling factors they encounter during the process. Two complementary sources of data—quantitative and qualitative interviews—were used to examine the relationships between breastfeeding initiation and duration and the following variables: ethnicity, education, socioeconomic status, age, post-delivery work or educational status, and previous breastfeeding experiences. A convenience sample of 613 mothers in Orange County, CA completed a structured questionnaire, and a convenience sample of 25 mothers in Philadelphia, PA participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews. Analyses of the quantitative data provided descriptive statistics for the study population whereas analyses of the qualitative data permitted in-depth insights into the knowledge, beliefs, and feelings of mothers. Preliminary findings suggest that differences do exist among mothers who were currently breastfeeding or had breastfed in the past and mothers who had never breastfed. Mothers who had never breastfed tended to have lower educational levels, a lower socioeconomic status, and tended to be younger than mothers who had breastfed. By attempting to further identify the barriers and enabling factors of breastfeeding for specific populations of women, it may be possible to address the issue of what needs to change in terms of health education and policy so new mothers can recognize the importance of breastfeeding for both their babies and themselves.
Learning Objectives: 1) Determine the major barriers and enabling factors for breastfeeding among low socioeconomic populations of mothers residing in Orange County, CA and Philadelphia, PA. 2) Compare and contrast the results from the quantitative and qualitative data gathered from the two populations. 3) Identify the demographic associations between breastfeeding and formula feeding mothers in terms of: a) race/ethnicity (White, African American, Hispanic, and Vietnamese); b) education; c) socioeconomic status; d) age; e) post-delivery work or educational status.
Keywords: Breastfeeding,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.