title: Enhancing Breastfeeding Through Healthcare Support: Results from a Focus Group Study of African American Mothers.
abstract: Objectives To explore African American women's breastfeeding thoughts, attitudes, and experiences with healthcare professionals and subsequent influences on their breastfeeding interest and behavior. Insight was also sought about the most effective practices to provide breastfeeding support to African American women. Methods Thirty-eight pregnant or lactating African American women and racially diverse health professionals were recruited and participated in one of six membership specific focus groups in the metro Detroit area. An experienced focus group facilitator who was African American woman served as the primary group facilitator, using a semi-structured guide to discussions. Focus groups explored perceptions of personal and professional roles and behaviors that support African American women's breastfeeding behavior. Discussions were digitally recorded and audiotapes were transcribed. Thematic content analysis was conducted in combination with a review of field notes. Results Participants generally agreed that breastfeeding is the healthier feeding method but perceived that healthcare providers were not always fully supportive and sometimes discouraged breastfeeding. Non-breastfeeding mothers often expressed distrust of the information and recommendations given by healthcare providers and relied more on peers and relatives. Health professionals lacked information and skills to successfully engage African American women around breastfeeding. Conclusions for Practice Breastfeeding initiation and duration among African American mothers may increase when postpartum breastfeeding interventions address social and cultural challenges and when hospital breastfeeding support with the right professional lactation support, is void of unconscious bias and bridges hospital, community, peers, and family support. Professional lactation training for healthcare professionals who are in contact with expectant and new mothers and an increase in the number of IBCLC of color could help.
authors.affiliation: Program for Multicultural Health, Department of Community Programs and Services, University of Michigan Health System, 2025 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48105-2197, USA.
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Women and Infants Mental Health Program, Department of Psychiatry, Rachel Upjohn Building, 4250 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Rosalind
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.affiliation: Program for Multicultural Health, Department of Community Programs and Services, University of Michigan Health System, 2025 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48105-2197, USA.
authors.forename: Alfreda Jordan
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rooks
authors.affiliation: Women and Infants Mental Health Program, Department of Psychiatry, Rachel Upjohn Building, 4250 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. muzik@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muzik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D011181:Postnatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: African American; Breastfeeding; Interventions; Peer support; Qualitative