Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-1991

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing

Major Professor

Johnie N. Mozingo

Committee Members

Mitzi Davis, Dava Shoffner

Abstract

Breastfeeding rates in the United States have been declining over the past six years following over a decade of increasing rates. Low income women in particular are less likely to elect to breastfeed. This descriptive study surveyed eighty-five low income pregnant women residing in Eastern Tennessee with the purpose of identifying how the social structure in which these women live influence their choice of feeding method. Participants answered thirty-six questions on a Likert scale to measure the influence of various aspects of the social structure as being positively or negatively related to breastfeeding. A total score was obtained for each participant. The tool also assessed demographic and background data and allowed an opportunity for the subjects to comment about breastfeeding.

The scores of women who expressed intent to breastfeed (n=27 or 32% of total) were compared to the scores of those with intent to bottlefeed (n=52 or 61% of total). Six of the participants were undecided as to feeding intent (7% of total). The scores for the group with intent to breastfeed were found to be, on the average, higher than the scores of the group with intent to bottlefeed.

Subscores representing various components of the social structure were analyzed for similarities and differences between the two groups. Results verify that the majority of low income women in Eastern Tennessee intend to bottlefeed. The areas of greatest variation between the two groups may represent important clues as to the etiology of the difference in the choice of feeding method intended. The fact that many low income women appear unfamiliar with breastfeeding behavior and see bottlefeeding as the social norm is hypothesized as perhaps the primary barrier to the selection of breastfeeding. Suggestions are offered concerning techniques that may increase the exposure of low income women to breastfeeding behavior and areas for future research are cited.

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