304316
Factors Associated with Breastfeeding Support among Congolese Immigrants in Texas
Methods: A qualitative descriptive study of Congolese men experiences of fathering a breastfed infant was conducted in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area (Texas). Five focus groups were conducted. The interviews were conducted in French and English and lasted 1-2 hours. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated into English. Using the PEN-3 model, three themes were identified. Congolese fathers believed that breastfeeding is a natural part of child rearing. Congolese fathers living with larger social support found it easier to encourage their respective spouses to breastfeed. Information received by the medical establishment regarding breastfeeding was found to be inadequate.
Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the importance of understanding the heterogeneity of the African American community. Careful attention to both language and culture are essential for obtaining accurate representations of infant feeding behavior in diverse African American populations. Understanding how ethnicity and cultural norms in African communities in the US affects health behaviors such as breastfeeding could help improve current breastfeeding promotion programs targeting the African American community.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related public policyPublic health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Assess immigrant Congolese fathers’ roles in the decision-making process to breastfeed and describe immigrant Congolese men’s experiences as fathers of breastfed infants in the United States.
Keyword(s): Immigrant Health, Breastfeeding
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a public health practitioner with over a decade of experience in minority research, health promotion and capacity building initiatives.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.