Intent to Breastfeed and Evaluation of Culturally Sensitive Education in a Migrant Pacific Islander Population

BackgroundThe Marshallese, a Pacific Islander population, are a growing migrant population in the United States. Breastfeeding is the preferred method of infant feeding, but many cultural barriers deter exclusive breastfeeding. A culturally sensitive education intervention was implemented to meet the needs of the Marshallese population in a postpartum setting.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of an education intervention, in native language, on breastfeeding rates among Marshallese mothers during hospitalization.MethodsThis quasi-experimental study was a retrospective data analysis of a quality improvement project in a hospital seeking Baby-Friendly status. Randomized record reviews of Marshallese mothers receiving the culturally targeted education (N = 40) between the ages of 18 and 45, delivering between 37 and 42 weeks gestation, were compared with mothers prior to implementation of the education (N = 40).ResultsBirthweight, discharge weight, and delivery method were not statistically different. No statistical difference existed between feeding intent and discharge feeding behavior.ConclusionExclusive breastfeeding rates among Marshallese mothers are lower than desired. Culturally appropriate breastfeeding education in a hospital setting may not affect feeding patterns, but clarification is needed on cultural definitions of exclusive breastfeeding. Further studies are needed.

Disability and the Asian Culture

Contemporary demographics reveal that the Asian Population is the fastest growing minority in the U.S. Thus, vocational rehabilitation counselors must be prepared to face cultural dynamics that can influence outcomes in the treatment process. While many people may view Asians as a homogenous population, people who are of Asian descent come from many places including, but not limited to Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, Vietnam and Asian/Pacific Islander population. The present study provides information about the Asian culture relative to people with disabilities and seeks to give clinicians more tools to apply when working with people who are of Asian descent. Asians represent 4.8% of the civilian non-institutionalized population. Since the Asian/Pacific Islander population is a large racial ethnic group in the U.S., it is important to understand how vocational rehabilitation counselors educate them to live in their new land.