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AN ETHNOGRAPHY OF THE BREASTFEEDING AND NONBREASTFEEDING PRACTICES OF BLACK JAMAICAN WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES

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Date Issued:
2024
Abstract/Description:
Infant feeding is a universally recognized practice yet, it is profoundly influenced by culture. While it is well accepted that breast milk is the gold standard for infant feeding in the United States, the persistence of breastfeeding disparity among minorities, particularly among Black women in the U.S. is not well understood. According to the literature, Black mothers in the U.S. remain among the least likely to both initiate and exclusively breastfeed. Although infant feeding research related to African American women's practices has been widely explored, there is a paucity of knowledge related to the experiences and practices of foreign-born Black women in the United States. More studies are needed to examine factors influencing the infant feeding practices of foreign-born Black women. This research may identify new strategies for addressing breastfeeding disparity among Black populations. This ethnographic research employs Leininger's Cultural Care Diversity and Universality Theory and Bronfenbrenner’s (1994) Social-Ecological Model to explore influencing factors on Black Jamaican women’s infant feeding practices during the first six months of life. By applying these theories as a guide for inquiry, this study seeks to identify influencing factors on Jamaican women’s infant feeding practices in the United States. Data collection involved conducting semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 14 participants aged between 30 and 40 years. Five themes emerged from the data: (1) It’s What I Saw, It’s What I Know, (2) Me Personally, (3) Riding Out The Storm, (4) During the Storm, (5) On De Road and Outta Door. The findings highlight the need for culturally competent nursing care to promote infant health within this growing population in the United States.
Title: AN ETHNOGRAPHY OF THE BREASTFEEDING AND NONBREASTFEEDING PRACTICES OF BLACK JAMAICAN WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES.
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Name(s): Smith, Nikkisha , author
Edwards, Karethy , Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2024
Date Issued: 2024
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 144 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Infant feeding is a universally recognized practice yet, it is profoundly influenced by culture. While it is well accepted that breast milk is the gold standard for infant feeding in the United States, the persistence of breastfeeding disparity among minorities, particularly among Black women in the U.S. is not well understood. According to the literature, Black mothers in the U.S. remain among the least likely to both initiate and exclusively breastfeed. Although infant feeding research related to African American women's practices has been widely explored, there is a paucity of knowledge related to the experiences and practices of foreign-born Black women in the United States. More studies are needed to examine factors influencing the infant feeding practices of foreign-born Black women. This research may identify new strategies for addressing breastfeeding disparity among Black populations. This ethnographic research employs Leininger's Cultural Care Diversity and Universality Theory and Bronfenbrenner’s (1994) Social-Ecological Model to explore influencing factors on Black Jamaican women’s infant feeding practices during the first six months of life. By applying these theories as a guide for inquiry, this study seeks to identify influencing factors on Jamaican women’s infant feeding practices in the United States. Data collection involved conducting semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 14 participants aged between 30 and 40 years. Five themes emerged from the data: (1) It’s What I Saw, It’s What I Know, (2) Me Personally, (3) Riding Out The Storm, (4) During the Storm, (5) On De Road and Outta Door. The findings highlight the need for culturally competent nursing care to promote infant health within this growing population in the United States.
Identifier: FA00014388 (IID)
Degree granted: Dissertation (PhD)--Florida Atlantic University, 2024.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Breastfeeding
Jamaican Americans
Women, Black
Nursing
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014388
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU