The effect of a culture-specific education program to promote breastfeeding among Vietnamese women in Sydney
Rossiter, J.C.
International Journal of Nursing Studies 31(4): 369-379
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-7489 PMID: 7928125 DOI: 10.1016/0020-7489(94)90077-9Document Number: 293712
Data from 194 pregnant Vietnamese women attending prenatal clinics in 3 hospitals in Western and South Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, was collected before and after the culture-sensitive breast feeding education program. The aim was to develop a successful program and to assess the effectiveness. The program was expected to increase level of knowledge about breast feeding, provide more positive attitudes toward breast feeding, to increase intentions, initiation, and continuation at 4 weeks and 6 months. The results indicate an increase in level of knowledge of, attitudes toward, and planned behavior for breast feeding. Of the 108 in the experimental group, there are more breast feeding mothers at 4 weeks than in control groups. The program of video tapes and small group discussion sessions are considered an important feature of the success. The program is unable to sustain breast feeding practices at 6 months postpartum; the reasoning is the unavailability of continued program support and encouragement. Limitations are the selection of a convenience sample, language differences in interpersonal communication, the combined role of evaluator and support person, and the diversity among hospital personnel. The recommendations are that health educators be aware of cultural contexts of breast feeding, that language and program development be sensitive to specific cultures, that counseling include ethnic health workers, that the reinforcing role of health personnel be examined further, that research be conducted evaluating the benefits of teaching methods, and that the relationship between socioeconomic factors and breast feeding patterns be examined.