Sociocultural influences on the determinants of breast-feeding by Latina mothers in the Cincinnati area

Fam Community Health. 2010 Oct-Dec;33(4):318-28. doi: 10.1097/FCH.0b013e3181f3b2be.

Abstract

While breast-feeding initiation and duration among US Latina women appear to decrease with acculturation, health care providers in the Greater Cincinnati area have noted lower rates of breast-feeding among even first-generation Latina immigrants. This study's purpose was to identify determinants of breast-feeding for Latina mothers in Cincinnati through qualitative interviews and Spanish Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale ratings. Our findings suggest that, along with similar levels of breast-feeding self-confidence, foreign-born Latina women in the Greater Cincinnati area share similar breast-feeding determinants with the general population. However, characteristics of these determinants and their impact vary because of unique pressures experienced by this community.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Feeding / psychology*
  • Breast Feeding / statistics & numerical data
  • Culture
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Models, Psychological
  • Mothers
  • Ohio
  • Self Efficacy
  • Spouses
  • Young Adult