Influence of Islamic Traditions on Breastfeeding Beliefs and Practices Among African American Muslims in West Philadelphia: A Mixed-Methods Study

Kamoun, Camilia; Spatz, Diane L.

doi:10.1177/0890334417705856

Cited by 18 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Additionally, mothers reported that the Holy Quran's recommendation to breastfeed their children for at least two years was a source of motivation to EBF their children. Other studies also strongly demonstrated the key role of the Holy Quran in the practice of EBF, especially amongst the Muslim community [28][29][30].…”

Section: Support For Breastfeeding From Family Membersmentioning

confidence: 91%

A Qualitative Exploration of the Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) Practices in Wajir County, Kenya

2020

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Background: The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. A qualitative study was conducted to assess the factors that influence the practice of exclusive breastfeeding amongst mothers attending Wajir County Hospital, Kenya. Method: This study was part of a cross-sectional study to compare the exclusive breastfeeding rates amongst primiparous and multiparous mothers with infants under 6 months old attending Wajir County Hospital. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted to collect information on exclusive breastfeeding and related factors. Four focus group discussions were conducted with mothers who exclusively breastfed and the same number with mothers who did not exclusively breastfeed their babies. Key informant interviews were conducted with nine healthcare providers. The data were transcribed, and a content analysis identified common themes and inferences. Results: The exclusive breastfeeding rate among the mothers in the larger study was 45.5%. There was no disparity between the practice of exclusive breastfeeding between primiparous and multiparous mothers. Despite the high knowledge and positive attitudes towards exclusive breastfeeding of most mothers, the practice of exclusive breastfeeding was unsatisfactory. The major hindrances identified were cultural barriers propagated by mothers-inlaw and traditional birth attendants; the belief that babies cannot live without water; and a few unsupportive health workers. The uptake of exclusive breastfeeding was enhanced by Islamic teaching on breastfeeding, education from a few supportive healthcare providers; support from husbands; and positive deviance among some lactating mothers who practiced exclusive breastfeeding.

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Section: Support For Breastfeeding From Family Membersmentioning

confidence: 91%

A Qualitative Exploration of the Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) Practices in Wajir County, Kenya

2020

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“…Culture defined the BF decisions of AA women in the United States. 16,22,30 The family, peers, and community were important agents for social support. Families, peers, and community persistent support and encouragement for women boosted BF.…”

Section: Theme One: Cultural Dimensionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such influences became possible through in-person interactions, virtual platforms, and religious affiliations. 30,33,36 Various forms of misconceptions on BF were observed within the AA community. For instance, some relatives, peers, and close neighbors claimed that breastfed infants become overly dependent on their mother; such myths pressurized women to initiate formula supplementation.…”

Section: Theme One: Cultural Dimensionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Black/African American Breastfeeding Experience: Cultural, Sociological, and Health Dimensions Through an Equity Lens

Gyamfi

O’Neill

Henderson

et al. 2021

Breastfeeding Medicine

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Background: Disparities in breastfeeding (BF) continue to be a public health challenge, as currently only 42% of infants in the world and 25.6% of infants in the United States are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life. In 2019, the infants least likely to be exclusively breastfed at 6 months are African Americans (AA) (17.2%). Materials and Methods: A scoping review of the literature was undertaken by using Arksey and O'Malley's sixstage framework to determine key themes of AA women's experience BF through an equity lens. Electronic databases of CINAHL and PubMed were searched for peer-reviewed, full-text articles written in the English language within the past 5 years by using the terms BF, AA, Black, sociological, cultural, equity, health, attitude, exposure, initiation, continuation, barriers, and facilitators. Results: Initially, 497 articles were identified, and 26 peer-reviewed articles met the eligibility criteria. Through an equity lens, three main themes emerged, which summarized AA women's BF experience: cultural (family, peers and community support; misconceptions; personal factors), sociological (prejudices, racism, home environment; financial status; sexuality issues; BF role models; employment policies), and health dimensions (family involvement; timely and honest information from staff; baby-friendly hospital initiatives; postnatal follow-up; special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children). Conclusion: For AA women, exclusively BF is beset with diverse cultural, health, and sociological challenges. Multifaceted approaches are needed for successful resolution of BF challenges to bridge the racial gap in BF in the United States. Future studies may explore interventions targeted to modifiable barriers to improve BF outcomes.

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“…The association we identified between more positive breastfeeding beliefs (per total score and each subscale score) and breastfeeding initiation/longer duration mirror prior findings in the literature suggesting the importance of positive beliefs about breastfeeding in improving breastfeeding rates (Brockway et al, 2017; Brown, 2014). While breastfeeding educational campaigns have done much to create more positive breastfeeding beliefs, we still lack a complete understanding of how cultural factors influence breastfeeding beliefs (Kamoun & Spatz, 2018; Lutenbacher, Karp, & Moore, 2016; Savage, Neshteruk, Balantekin, & Birch, 2016). Connecting cultural expectations to breastfeeding beliefs will help educators and clinicians understand how to emphasize the positive aspects of breastfeeding without undermining cultural traditions in diverse populations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations of Maternal Beliefs and Distress in Pregnancy and Postpartum With Breastfeeding Initiation and Early Cessation

2018

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Influence of Islamic Traditions on Breastfeeding Beliefs and Practices Among African American Muslims in West Philadelphia: A Mixed-Methods Study

Cited by 18 publications

References 9 publications

A Qualitative Exploration of the Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) Practices in Wajir County, Kenya

A Qualitative Exploration of the Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) Practices in Wajir County, Kenya

Black/African American Breastfeeding Experience: Cultural, Sociological, and Health Dimensions Through an Equity Lens

Associations of Maternal Beliefs and Distress in Pregnancy and Postpartum With Breastfeeding Initiation and Early Cessation

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