Factors Associated with Breastfeeding Support among Congolese Immigrants in Texas

Background:  Breastfeeding decreases the incidence of many disease processes that disproportionately impact African Americans, and increases positive health outcomes. Disparities based on nativity within the African American breastfeeding rates have been found. Moreover, the importance of breastfeeding support by fathers has also been identified in the literature. The purpose of this study was to examine immigrant Congolese fathers’ roles in the decision-making process to breastfeed and describe immigrant Congolese men’s experiences as fathers of breastfed infants in the United States.

Methods:  A qualitative descriptive study  of Congolese men experiences of fathering a breastfed infant was conducted in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area (Texas).  Five focus groups were conducted.  The interviews were conducted in French and English and lasted 1-2 hours. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated into English. Using the PEN-3 model, three themes were identified. Congolese fathers believed that breastfeeding is a natural part of child rearing. Congolese fathers living with larger social support found it easier to encourage their respective spouses to breastfeed. Information received by the medical establishment regarding breastfeeding was found to be inadequate.

Conclusions:  The results of this study highlight the importance of understanding the heterogeneity of the African American community. Careful attention to both language and culture are essential for obtaining accurate representations of infant feeding behavior in diverse African American populations. Understanding how ethnicity and cultural norms in African communities in the US affects health behaviors such as breastfeeding could help improve current breastfeeding promotion programs targeting the African American community.