Mendez, Gabriella
(2019)
The impact of partner/family influences and family breastfeeding exposure on breastfeeding practices among black/African American women in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County PA.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Breastfeeding (BF) disparities between Black and White women is a public health concern. In the literature, it’s unclear how family influences BF practices among Black women. This study’s purpose was to describe how familial factors influences BF initiation and duration among Black women in Pittsburgh. Its aims were:1) analyze if familial factors (partner and family support) play a role in BF. 2) investigate association between partner/family influences and personal exposure to BF with BF initiation and duration.
Analysis was based on data from the Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Research Study, an online survey on infant feeding practices among the Black population. Women that identify as Black, age 18 or older, with a child age two or younger, living in Pittsburgh were included. Recruitment was through posters and flyers distributed in health agencies, local birthing hospitals and social media (e.g Facebook). Outcome variables were BF initiation, (defined as mother that breastfed a child at least once) and duration, (defined as mother that breastfed for at least 6 months). Exposure variables were familial factors (partner encouragement, family influence) and exposure to BF (defined as mother breastfed as a child and/or had family members who breastfed)
Descriptive and univariate analysis were stratified by BF initiation and duration. Logistic regression examined relationship between: a) family/partner encouragement with BF initiation and duration b) personal exposure to BF with BF initiation and duration.
Results revealed no sample difference in socio-demographics between group with BF initiation and duration and group that did not BF. Statistically significant difference (p-value <0.05) was observed between BF initiation and education in which mothers that initiated BF had higher education levels than those that did not. No association were seen between familial factors, personal exposure to BF with BF initiation and BF duration. However, positives associations were found, yet not statistically significant. Odds Ratios revealed women that didn’t perceived partner/familiar support, were less likely to initiate BF (OR of 0.44 and 0.75). Women not exposed to family BF were twice as likely to initiate BF compared to those exposed. More mixed method approach may better explain if changes in BF practices has emerged.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
30 January 2019 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
3 December 2018 |
| Approval Date: |
30 January 2019 |
| Submission Date: |
27 November 2018 |
| Access Restriction: |
2 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 2 years. |
| Number of Pages: |
49 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Behavioral and Community Health Sciences |
| Degree: |
MPH - Master of Public Health |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
breastfeeding, feeding practices, family support, partner support, |
| Date Deposited: |
30 Jan 2019 14:38 |
| Last Modified: |
01 Jan 2021 06:15 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/35608 |
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