Programa LACTAR Promoting Breastfeeding in Northeastern Philadelphia Join the program!

 Project goal:

The overall goal of Programa LACTAR is to increase the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in the Hispanic/Latino population in Northeastern Philadelphia.  We understand that this objective will take many years of education and support work from the different parties that surround the breastfeeding dyad. 

Dr. Gail Herrine is an Ob/Gyn at Women’s Care at Northeastern, which is a 6-physician practice associated with Temple University Hospital.  Part of our mission at Women’s Care at Northeastern is to provide access to the highest quality of health care in both the community and academic setting and to promote the health and well-being of people in our neighboring communities through preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic services

Dr. Claudia Valeggia is an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Anthropology of the University of Pennylvania.  Her research interests include lactation, fertility, and maternal/child health in Latin American populations.

Research projects

BREASTFEEDING ATTITUDES AND INTENTIONS IN AN INNER-CITY NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA COMMUNITY
Laura Romcevich (Master's Thesis, University of Pennyslvania

Background: This study is part of a long-term project, Programa LACTAR, which aims at promoting breastfeeding among a low-income population in NE Philadelphia by providing educational audiovisual material and establishing a breastfeeding club at a Women’s Center.
Objective: The goal of this study was to describe breastfeeding attitudes and intentions and identify demographic and behavioral variables as predictors of these attitudes and intentions.
Methods: In this cross-sectional, descriptive study we administered a survey and questionnaire to a convenience sample of 117 pregnant and 87 postpartum women.  Additionally, we conducted in-depth interviews with 15 pregnant women and 3 of their partners.  Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS and interviews using Grounded Theory.
Results: No socio-demographic variables significantly impacted intention, nor did measures of heritage and acculturation indicate ties to intention, exposure, or attitude. Even though the survey showed 90% of women believed they would have their partner’s support, questionnaires demonstrated most women had a positive attitude toward breastfeeding, and the vast majority of interview participants knew that breastfeeding was generally healthy, the various barriers they cited trumped their knowledge, attitude, and perceived support. The main barriers cited were the woman’s fear of pain, inconvenience, and lack of time due to return to work or school.
Conclusions: Though seemingly inconclusive, in-depth analysis of the data demonstrated the malleability of women’s attitudes towards breastfeeding and the power of circumstance—regardless of previous attitude or behavior—and a need of controlling one’s body.

Breastfeeding Attitudes and Intentions: positIve effects of  a Small-scale Intervention
Katie McCarthy (Senior Thesis , University of Pennsylvania)

Background:The population in northeast Philadelphia is mainly composed of inner-city, low socioeconomic status people. Despite the numerous nutritional, immunological, psychoemotional, and economic benefits of breastfeeding, baseline survey data from this population found extremely low prevalence of breastfeeding, particularly among Puerto Rican mothers.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which a small-scale intervention intended to promote breastfeeding affected the breastfeeding attitudes and intentions of the women who received pre- and post-natal care at the Woman’s Care at Northeastern Hospital in Philadelphia.
Methods: This intervention, part of Programa Lactar, was relatively simple and economical: it included posters for the waiting room and DVDs supporting breastfeeding, a discussion by the doctor of the benefits of breastfeeding with each patient, and a weekly support group held lead by a lactation consultant at the clinic. Data was gathered through a survey and a questionnaire from 118 prenatal and 79 postpartum women prior to implementation and then from 168 prenatal and 98 postpartum women, who had been exposed to these changes.
Results: The results indicated there was a significant increase in positive attitudes and in intention to breastfeed after the intervention.  There was still a low prevalence of breastfeeding. However, those women that did breastfeed tended to do so for a longer duration of time.
Conclusions: the results of this study demonstrate that small, educational breastfeeding programs such as Programa Lactar can help to increase acceptance and improve rates of breastfeeding in a target population. 

BACK AT HOME: BREASTFEEDING IN THE FIRST WEEK AFTER HOSPITAL DISCHARGE 
Danae Maragouthakis (Drexel University)

ONGOING RESEARCH :Preliminary observations have indicated that most mothers stop breastfeeding during the first 48 hs after discharge from the hospital. We will use a survey to measure attitudes towards breastfeeding while still in the hospital right after delivery. Women who have initiated breastfeeding at the hospital an indicated the plan to continue breastfeeding will be invited toparticipate in a semi-structured phone interview that will be conducted within the first two days after returning home.