BACKGROUND: The rate of breastfeeding among Southeast Asians is the lowest of any ethnic group in California. Statistics show a significant reduction in breastfeeding among Vietnamese women after immigration. Surveys show that most Vietnamese visit Vietnamese physicians. Physicians are most influential in promoting and extending the duration of breastfeeding among Vietnamese women. Physicians and their office staff should be encouraged to promote the advantages of breastfeeding and to support women as they breastfeed. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: We conducted a 29-month intervention program targeting Vietnamese physicians in private practices in Santa Clara county, a district with a significant Vietnamese population. Eleven physicians specializing in obstetric gynecology, pediatrics and family practice in the Santa Clara county were recruited to collaborate with this project. The intervention include informal training for physician office staff, Continuing Medical Education session on breasfeeding for physicians, monthly visits to physician’s offices to reinforce breastfeeding promotion, and the development of culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials, it’s a series of 6 Vietnamese language breastfeeding educational brochure that are distributed regularly to the private practice physicians. RESULTS: Evaluation includes collecting data on breastfeeding of 100 mothers, who are patients of the targeted offices, at 4 weeks and again at 6 months after childbirth. The result of data analysis will be available at time of presentation. IMPLICATIONS: The educational materials developed for this approach can be used by other physician offices and health organizations that serve the Vietnamese in other geographic regions.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, learner will be able to: - identify myth and assumptions about breastfeeding among Asian women - understand how to work with Vietnamese mothers and their babies - Understand how to reinforce breastfeeding promotion breastfeeding at physicians’ offices.
Keywords: Breastfeeding, Asian Women
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.