Date of Award

Spring 5-14-2019

Degree Type

Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Dr. Lisa Cranwell-Bruce

Second Advisor

Dr. Breslin

Abstract

Title: Low breastfeeding rates in African American women: An exploration of intent to

breastfeed among African American mothers.

Background/objective: Breastfeeding is a public health requirement based on the documented short-term and long-term medical benefits for babies. Breastfeeding has medical, psychological, and financial benefits for mothers. Despite documented benefits and only a few contraindications to breastfeeding, disparity persists in the African American population. African Americans (AA) are considered an at-risk group for many of the acute and chronic conditions that are believed to be preventable or decrease by breastfeeding.

Objective: To assess breastfeeding intent in African America women enrolled in group prenatal care/centering and traditional prenatal care.

PICO: In AA women between the ages of 18 and 45 years receiving prenatal care in the city of Atlanta, how does group prenatal care compare to traditional one-to-one prenatal care, on rates of breastfeeding, post breastfeeding intervention?

Methods: Study participants in centering and the routine care groups were given a self-developed pre-survey followed by breastfeeding education/intervention class. The centering group received breastfeeding intervention in a group setting. The routine care group received breastfeeding intervention one to one. Both groups were given a post-survey after the breastfeeding intervention. The post-survey is limited to the same questions from the pre-survey.

Results: A total of 26 participants completed the breastfeeding intervention and post-survey. Eleven participants were from the centering group, and 15 participants form the routine care group. Participants in both groups showed increased learning; however, the participants in the centering group showed higher learning. An independent sample t-test was conducted to compare the mean scores for patients in centering and routine care. There was no significance difference in the mean scores for centering (M = 95.45, SD = 8.02) and routine care (M = 90, SD = 10; t(24) = -.332, p = .743, two-tailed).

Discussion: Based on the findings group prenatal is a promising tool to increase breastfeeding the AA women. Next step is implementing strategies to improve social support for breastfeeding for mothers not enrolled in centering or group prenatal care.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/15135240

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