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Abstract

Healthy People 2010 breastfeeding goals include 50% exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months. In California, US, Santa Clara County Women, Infants, and Children (SCCWIC) data indicated Asian participants had low (5.6%) 6-month breastfeeding rates. To examine infant-feeding practices, Vietnamese breastfeeding peer counselors surveyed 133 Vietnamese SCCWIC participants (≥ 18 years old, nonpregnant, < 28 months postpartum) using a structured questionnaire regarding intentions, attitudes, and subjective norms toward breastfeeding. Results indicated that 75% initiated breastfeeding in the hospital (33% exclusively, 42% partially), and 25% exclusively formula fed. At survey time, 49% had terminated breastfeeding (average duration 4.4 months). Feeding intentions during pregnancy predicted feeding method used (P < .001). Most prenatal advice was from SCCWIC employees, friends, and doctors who supported breastfeeding. Most postnatal advice was from nurses who supported breastfeeding and bottle-feeding equally. Stronger control beliefs, peer counseling, and education were correlated with breastfeeding (P < .001). Improved postdelivery hospital advice may further increase breastfeeding initiation and duration. J Hum Lact . 24(4):406-414.

Entre las metas de Healthy People 2010 están el 50% de lactancia materna exclusiva a los 6 meses. Datos del programa WIC del condado de Santa Clara (SCCWIC) indicaron bajos índices de lactancia materna a los 6 meses (5.6%) entre las participantes asiáticas. Madres consejeras de lactancia vietnamitas encuestaron 133 participantes vietnamitas del programa SCCWIC (>18 años, no embarazadas, <28 meses postparto) usando un cuestionario estructurado en relación a las intenciones, actitudes y normas subjetivas hacia la lactancia materna. Los resultados indicaron que 75% iniciaron la lactancia materna en el hospital (33% exclusivamente, 42% parcial); 25% alimentación exclusiva con formula. Al momento de la encuesta, 49% habían suspendido la lactancia materna (promedio de duración 4.4 meses). La intención de alimentación infantil durante el embarazo predijo el método utilizado (p<0.001). La mayoría de los consejos fueron de empleados del programa SCCWIC, amigos y doctores que apoyaron la lactancia materna. La mayoría de los consejos postnatales fueron de enfermeras que apoyaban la lactancia materna y la alimentación con biberón igualmente. Fuertes creencias de control, conserjería de madres y educación se correlacionaron con la lactancia materna (p<0.001). Una mejor conserjería después de la salida del hospital puede aumentar la iniciación y la duración de la lactancia materna.

Keywords

breastfeeding Vietnamese theory of planned behavior peer counselor WIC

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Infant-Feeding Practices of Low-Income Vietnamese American Women

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