A Pilot Study of a Culturally Grounded Breastfeeding Intervention for Pregnant, Low-Income African American Women

Background: Increasing breastfeeding rates among low-income African American women may work toward the achievement of health equity. The dynamic breastfeeding assessment process (D-BAP) is a community-grounded, equity-focused intervention designed to increase prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy. Research aim: The aims of the pilot study were (a) to determine the effect of the D-BAP on breastfeeding self-efficacy among pregnant, low-income African American women, (b) to examine the findings among women with no previous breastfeeding experience, and (c) to compare the findings between women with prior breastfeeding experience and those without it. Methods: A pre/post, paired-samples design was utilized. Convenience sampling was used to recruit pregnant, low-income African American women ( N = 25). Participants completed the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form prior to and following the D-BAP. Results: The Wilcoxon signed rank test indicated that participation in the D-BAP had a statistically significant influence on breastfeeding self-efficacy ( z = −2.01, p = .04). Among a subsample of participants with no previous breastfeeding experience ( n = 12), completion of the D-BAP resulted in a statistically significant increase in breastfeeding self-efficacy ( z = −2.36, p = .02). There was no statistically significant difference between those with prior breastfeeding experience and those without it. Conclusion: Breastfeeding among low-income African American women is a health equity issue for which culturally responsive, effective breastfeeding interventions are needed. This research demonstrates an association between completion of the D-BAP and an increase in prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy.

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Racial Identity, Generalized Self-Efficacy, and Self-Esteem: A Pilot Study of a Mediation Model for African American Women

Journal of Black Psychology ◽

10.1177/0095798401027003002 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 272-287 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Kimberly Williams Collins ◽

Owen Richard Lightsey

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Racial Identity ◽

Pilot Study ◽

African American Women ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Mediation Model ◽

American Women

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Factors Distinguishing Positive Deviance Among Low-Income African American Women: A Qualitative Study on Infant Feeding

Journal of Human Lactation ◽

10.1177/0890334416673048 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 368-378 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Cecilia E. Barbosa ◽

Saba W. Masho ◽

Kellie E. Carlyle ◽

Maghboeba Mosavel

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

African American Women ◽

Infant Feeding ◽

Low Income ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Formula Feeding ◽

Short Term ◽

American Women ◽

Breastfeeding Intention ◽

Breastfeeding In Public

Background: Positive deviant individuals practice beneficial behaviors in spite of having qualities characterizing them as high risk for unhealthy behaviors. Objective: This study aimed to identify and understand factors distinguishing low-income African American women who breastfeed the longest (positive deviants) from those who breastfeed for a shorter duration or do not breastfeed. Methods: Seven mini-focus groups on infant-feeding attitudes and experiences were conducted with 25 low-income African American women, grouped by infant-feeding practice. Positive deviants, who had breastfed for 4 months or more, were compared with formula-feeding participants who had only formula fed their babies and short-term breastfeeding participants who had breastfed for 3 months or less. Results: Positive deviant women had more schooling, higher income, breastfeeding intention, positive breastfeeding and unfavorable formula-feeding attitudes, higher self-efficacy, positive hospital and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children experiences, more exclusive breastfeeding, and greater comfort breastfeeding in public. Short-term breastfeeding women varied in breastfeeding intention and self-efficacy, seemed to receive insufficient professional breastfeeding support, and supplemented breastfeeding with formula. Some showed ambivalence, concern with unhealthy behaviors, and discomfort with breastfeeding in public. Formula-feeding women intended to formula feed, feared breastfeeding, thought their behaviors were incompatible with breastfeeding, were comfortable with and found formula convenient, and received strong support to formula feed. Conclusion: Tapping into the strengths of positive deviants; tailoring interventions to levels of general and breastfeeding self-efficacy; increasing social, institutional, and community supports; and removing inappropriate formula promotion may offer promising strategies to increase breastfeeding among low-income African American women.

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Self-management in African American Women With Diabetes

The Diabetes Educator ◽

10.1177/0145721705280414 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 31 (5) ◽

pp. 700-711 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Mamie C. Montague ◽

Sheryl A. Nichols ◽

Arjun P. Dutta

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Locus Of Control ◽

African American Women ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Short Form ◽

Self Management ◽

Group Differences ◽

Significant Group ◽

American Women ◽

Sf 36

Purpose This study describes demographic and medical characteristics, self-efficacy, locus of control, self-managementd defined by functional status, hemoglobin HbA1c outcomes, and the relationships among these variables based on age group differences (25-44 years, 45-64 years, and 65-84 years) in African American women with type 2 diabetes. Methods Subjects (n = 75) in community medical practices were interviewed to complete a demographic and medical form, the Diabetes Self-efficacy Outcomes Expectancy Questionnaire (DSEQ), the Diabetes Locus of Control Scale, and the Medical Outcomes–Short Form 36 (SF-36). A venous blood sample was taken following the interview. Data were analyzed for the total sample and separately for age groups. Results Scores on the self efficacy (DSEQ) and the locus of control (LOC) were above average for all 3 groups. Significant correlations were found among subscales of the LOC, SF-36, and HbA1c. HbA1c scores were abnormally high across groups. Significant group differences were found in duration of diabetes and number of medications used. Conclusions Despite high levels of internal locus of control and self-efficacy and scores indicating good mental, physical, emotional, and social health, self-management amongthe women was inadequate, as indicated by abnormally high HbA1c levels.

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