Breastfeeding Attitudes and Intentions Among Middle Eastern Women Living in Southern California

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Breastfeeding is unsurpassed as the preferred method of feeding infants all over the world due to the fact that its benefits far outweigh those of infant formula. Mothers from all cultures prefer breastfeeding, yet with immigration and emigration so widespread from developing countries, women's value systems are changing to adapt to their new surroundings. The United States has experienced a great influx of Middle Easterners; California in particular has a dominant presence of Middle Easterners. Many are faced with obstacles and stresses in acculturation, which may lead to lack of breastfeeding their infants. Few studies are available on Middle Eastern women and their attitudes towards breastfeeding, creating an opportunity to further research and find new ways to better serve this understudied population.</p> <p><strong>Purpose.</strong> The purpose of this study was to identify the attitudes and intentions of Middle Eastern women towards breastfeeding and to examine the relationship between acculturation and breastfeeding.</p> <p><strong>Methodology.</strong> This study used an observational, cross-sectional design to examine the attitudes and intentions of Middle Eastern women towards breastfeeding. The study was based on Ajzen's theory of planned behavior (TPB) (2006). In addition to assessing the TPB constructs of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, using a modified version of the Breastfeeding Attrition Prediction Tool (Janke, 1994), the following variables were measured: socioeconomic status, knowledge of breastfeeding, culture, and acculturation. Participants (n=168) were Middle Eastern women aged 20-40 living in Southern California, recruited online through Facebook and in-person at church social functions and Middle Eastern festivals.</p> <p><strong>Results.</strong> Linear regression was used to determine the overall and independent relationships between the intention to breastfeed and the TPB variables. The TPB variables of attitude (adjusted R=0.296, p<0.0001), subjective norms (adjusted R = 0.246, p<0.0001), and perceived behavioral control (adjusted R =0.384, p<0.0001) were significantly and independently related to intention to breastfeed. There was no significant association between acculturation and intention to breastfeed (R=-0.055 , p< 0.445), or between religion and intention to breastfeed (Z= -0.381, p< 0.703).</p> <p><strong>Implications for Health Education. </strong>A more thorough understanding of breastfeeding perceptions and intentions among Middle Eastern women is needed in order to create culturally relevant programs and to increase breastfeeding rates in this population. Further research is needed to specify the differences in generations of Middle Eastern women with regards to intentions to breastfeed.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year

2012

Author dc:creator

• Fam, Christina Irsilious

Contributors dc:contributor

• Naomi Modeste
• R. Patti Herring
• Helen Hopp Marshak

• Public Health Education and Promotion
• Breastfeeding -- Psychological aspects; Breastfeeding -- Religious aspects; Breastfeeding -- Cross-cultural studies; Middle Eastern Americans; Breast Feeding; Breast Feeding -- ethnology; Acculturation -- United States

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1182

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-2719