 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Ivette Becerra-Ortiz, MSN, MPH, Yale University, 150 Pine Street, #119, Manchester, CT 06040, 860-432-3569, ortizib@aol.com
The purpose of this paper is to identify effective clinically-based breastfeeding interventions for Latina adolescent mothers so as to assist clinicians and program planners in increasing breastfeeding rates and success among Latina adolescents. Based on a review of the literature, adolescent teens have the lowest rates of initiating and maintaining breastfeeding practices, although reliable rates are difficult to identify. An overview of the cultural beliefs and systems of Latinas in the U.S. and a discussion of developmental characteristics of Latina adolescent mothers with respect to breastfeeding is provided. Existing effective clinical strategies used by health care providers and program planners caring for adolescent Latina mothers are identified. The paper will identify age-appropriate and cultural strategies that will assist practitioners to incorporate developmental and culturally holistic principles in the promotion of breastfeeding among Latina teen mothers. The conceptual model used in the development of the paper was the Pre-Adult Health Decision-Making Model (PAHDM) (Langer, 1992). This model portrays the adolescent as being the center of three decision-making orientation categories: peer-directed, parent-directed and self-directed (Langer, 1992). The PAHDM addresses biologic, psychological and social factors influencing adolescents. Practitioners will be able to respond to adolescent latina mothers more effectively regarding the promotion and support of breastfeeding as health care activities are more fully integrated with cultural competence and developmentally appropriate clinical interventions. The author discusses specific clinical strategies and approaches to clinical work with these young women and their infants.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Breast Feeding, Behavioral Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.