Breast is Best: Decisional Balance on Breastfeeding Amongst Latino Youth Open Access

Abstract

Background: Despite the wealth of and access to cutting edge healthcare, breastfeeding rates in the United States fall well below levels recommended by organizations such as the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Minority women in the United States have the lowest rates of breastfeeding. While Hispanic women have high rates of breastfeeding after birth, their rates of breastfeeding plummet with each successive month. A myriad of social, environmental, societal, economic, and cultural factors impact a woman's ability to breastfeed, but as the largest fastest growing ethnic group in the United States and in Georgia, Hispanics' low continued breastfeeding rates are a cause for concern. Breastfeeding can protect a mother and her child from cancers, infections, obesity, and other chronic conditions, and so breastfeeding rates can impact a child's current and later health outcomes.

Objective: To gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between gender and the factors affecting Hispanics' decision to breastfeeding using the Transtheoretical Model.

Methods: Guided by the Transtheoretical Model, qualitative and quantitative methods were used to understand the pros and cons that influence a parent's decision to breastfeed or not. In-depth interviews and surveys were conducted with Hispanic emerging adults to identify pros and cons of breastfeeding by gender.

Results and Conclusions: The pros and cons were mostly similar across genders (impact of work, support from partner, health benefits etc.), however several pros and cons such as body image, quality of milk, struggles with breastfeeding, and price of milk versus formula differed across genders. This study demonstrates the need for more support for breastfeeding women in the workplace and more supportive and knowledgeable male partners.

Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

ACKOWLEDGEMENTS

GLOSSARY

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background...1

Attitudes: Pros and Cons...4

Theoretical Framework...8

Purpose of the Study...11

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

Breastfeeding Recommendations...12

Prevalence of Breastfeeding...13

Attitudes towards Breastfeeding...16

Barriers to Breastfeeding...23

Hispanic Culture...25

Transtheoretical Model...29

CHAPTER 3: METHODS...30

CHAPTER 4: RESULTS

Males...38

Females...48

Males and Females...53

CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION...63

REFERENCES

Introduction...70

Literature Review...77

APPENDIX A: Data Collection Instruments...83

APPENDIX II: Results...92

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health Education, Health
Keyword	breastfeed health education infant feeding maternal and child health mixed methods youth breastfeeding Latino or Hispanic
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Thompson, Nancy J, Emory University
Committee Members	Smith, Iris E, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	Community-based non-profit organization (e.g., AID Atlanta)

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