title: Incorporating cultural beliefs in promoting exclusive breastfeeding.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since 2003, the World Health Organization has recommended exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. In the Northwest region of Cameroon approximately 90% of women initiate breastfeeding, yet only 34% of these women exclusively breastfeed for the recommended six months.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine influences on women's exclusive breastfeeding practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six women and six men followed by focus group discussions with three groups of women and three groups of men in the Kumbo West Health District, Northwest region, Cameroon. All participants were selected using theoretical sampling to assure triangulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three themes emerged that influence exclusive breastfeeding practices: woman's readiness to exclusively breastfeed; cultural influences towards exclusive breastfeeding; and perceived constraints to exclusive breastfeeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These emergent themes were used to create a theoretical framework that is useful for developing a breastfeeding health education intervention in non-Western settings.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, California, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reinsma
authors.affiliation: Bamenda, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bolima
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fonteh
authors.affiliation: Bali Health District, Bali, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Okwen
authors.affiliation: Kumbo West Health District, Kumbo, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yota
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Technology, Loma Linda University, California USA.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Montgomery