A mixed-methods longitudinal study of Marshallese infant feeding beliefs and experiences in the United States: a study protocol.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Arkansas has the largest population of Marshallese Pacific Islanders residing in the continental United States. Marshallese are disproportionately burdened by poorer maternal and infant health outcomes. Exclusive breastfeeding can prevent or help mitigate maternal and infant health disparities. However, exclusive breastfeeding among United States Marshallese communities remains disproportionately low, and the reasons are not well documented. This paper describes the protocol of a mixed-methods concurrent triangulation longitudinal study designed to explore the beliefs and experiences that serve as barriers and/or facilitators to exclusive breastfeeding intention, initiation, and duration among Marshallese mothers in northwest Arkansas.

Methods

The mixed-methods de

SUBMITTER: Ayers BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8401343 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature