Grant Proposal Addressing Multi-Generational Perspectives on Breastfeeding among African American Women through a Church-Based Peer and Professional Breastfeeding Support Program Open Access

Fields, Natalie (Spring 2018)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/1z40ks886?locale=en
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Abstract

Research has established that breastfeeding is the optimal source of nutrition for newborns and infants younger than age 6 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months followed by continued breastfeeding with complementary foods until 1 year of age. African American mothers are less likely than White mothers to breastfeed their children. According to the National Immunization Survey for children born in 2013, 84% of White infants initiated breastfeeding, compared to only 66% of Black infants. African American women consistently report barriers to breastfeeding as a lack of family and community support, and the lack of access to breastfeeding education and resources during their prenatal and postnatal periods. As in many communities around the world, elder female family members are highly respected and trusted in the African American community and new mothers often turn to them for advice. Decisions related to infant feeding practices are no different. However, it is common that breastfeeding interventions neither acknowledge the influence nor explicitly involve elder female family members in efforts to strengthen existing family and community practices. The proposed church-based initiative uses the social support model as a framework to increase access to professional and peer support within the community by providing professional lactation education to parish nurses and training elder female church members in breastfeeding support and counseling, who will then lead breastfeeding support groups within the congregation for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Wise Village will provide pregnant and breastfeeding mothers within the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church) Sixth District a newly-formed social support network that promotes breastfeeding initiation and duration. This church-based breastfeeding support model can be expanded to other AME Churches as well as adopted by other faith-based organizations.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents Chapter I: Introduction.................................................................................................. 5 Definition of terms ........................................................................................................ 7 Chapter II: Literature Review........................................................................................ 8 Benefits of Breastfeeding ............................................................................................. 8 Breastfeeding in the United States ...............................................................................9 Barriers to Breastfeeding ........................................................................................... 10 Racial Disparities ....................................................................................................... 11 Community Impact ..................................................................................................... 11 Attitudes and Stigma .................................................................................................. 12 Lack of Education and Knowledge ............................................................................. 13 Social Support ............................................................................................................ 16 Church-based Programs ............................................................................................ 17 Chapter III: Methodology ............................................................................................ 20 Funding Agencies ...................................................................................................... 20 Grant Announcement ................................................................................................. 21 Grant Review Process ............................................................................................... 24 Grant Proposal Reviewers ......................................................................................... 25 Protection of Human Subjects .................................................................................... 26 Chapter IV: Incorporation of Reviewer Comments................................................... 27 Chapter V: Final Proposal .......................................................................................... 32 References ............................................................................................................... 47

Appendices Appendix A: Reducing Disparities in Breastfeeding through Peer and Professional Support REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS Appendix B: Wise Village 18-month Work Plan Appendix C: Wise Village Budget Worksheet Appendix D: Wise Village Budget Justification Appendix E: Grant Reviewer Template

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