A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study of Breastfeeding Attitudes among Southern African Americans

Abstract

We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of examining breast/chest feeding attitudes among African Americans in South Carolina using an explanatory sequential, mixed methods approach. We surveyed 50 pregnant African American women during their ob-gyn appointment (Phase I), followed by qualitative interviews with four African American couples (N = 8) (Phase II), and integrating quantitative-qualitative data through joint display (Phase III). Phase I supported the feasibility of recruiting pregnant African American women for our study. However, for Phase II, more research is needed to support the feasibility of recruiting couples from the quantitative phase. The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale demonstrated moderate reliability (α = 0.68). Participants intending to exclusively breastfeed (M = 65, SD = 5.79) had higher scores than those intending to exclusively use formula (M = 50, SD = 4.37, p < .001). The six qualitative themes (Phase II) and data integration (Phase III) identified cultural considerations for future research.

Keywords: African Americans; breastfeeding; mixed methods; parenting/families.