<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec><h3>Introduction</h3>
<p>Assessing intentions, attitudes, and knowledge about breastfeeding among different language groups is important because the languages reflect cultural differences. We compared attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, intentions, and knowledge of breastfeeding among mothers with the five most common preferred languages spoken at a New York City hospital.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Materials and methods</h3>
<p>This cross-sectional study surveyed women (n = 448) in the prenatal clinic and the post-partum unit of a New York City hospital. The survey questions were about breastfeeding attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and intentions, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. We also administered the Iowa Infant Feeding and Attitude Scale and measured the knowledge of the mothers about breastfeeding. The preferred language spoken by the mother was the main predictor variable. English, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, and Uzbek were the languages studied.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Results</h3>
<p>Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that Russian (B = 2.24, SE = 1.09, p = 0.04), Urdu (B = 2.90, SE = 1.45, p = 0.046), and Uzbek (B = 4.21, SE = 1.35, p = 0.002) speakers all had significantly more positive attitudes toward breastfeeding than did English speakers. Spanish and English language speakers did not differ from each other in their attitudes towards breastfeeding. The language groups did not differ significantly for subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, intention to breastfeed, the Iowa Infant Feeding and Attitude Scale, nor in knowledge regarding breastfeeding.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Conclusions</h3>
<p>Urdu, Uzbek, and Russian speakers had significantly more positive attitudes towards breastfeeding than did English speakers. To the extent that preferred language is a proxy for culture, clinicians can use this parameter as a basis for directing approaches toward lactation education.</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

Introduction
Assessing intentions, attitudes, and knowledge about breastfeeding among different language groups is important because the languages reflect cultural differences. We compared attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, intentions, and knowledge of breastfeeding among mothers with the five most common preferred languages spoken at a New York City hospital.

Materials and methods
This cross-sectional study surveyed women (n = 448) in the prenatal clinic and the post-partum unit of a New York City hospital. The survey questions were about breastfeeding attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and intentions, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. We also administered the Iowa Infant Feeding and Attitude Scale and measured the knowledge of the mothers about breastfeeding. The preferred language spoken by the mother was the main predictor variable. English, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, and Uzbek were the languages studied.

Results
Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that Russian (B = 2.24, SE = 1.09, p = 0.04), Urdu (B = 2.90, SE = 1.45, p = 0.046), and Uzbek (B = 4.21, SE = 1.35, p = 0.002) speakers all had significantly more positive attitudes toward breastfeeding than did English speakers. Spanish and English language speakers did not differ from each other in their attitudes towards breastfeeding. The language groups did not differ significantly for subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, intention to breastfeed, the Iowa Infant Feeding and Attitude Scale, nor in knowledge regarding breastfeeding.

Conclusions
Urdu, Uzbek, and Russian speakers had significantly more positive attitudes towards breastfeeding than did English speakers. To the extent that preferred language is a proxy for culture, clinicians can use this parameter as a basis for directing approaches toward lactation education.

Association of Maternal Preferred Language with Breastfeeding Attitudes, Intentions, and Knowledge

Journal of Mother and Child

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Introduction
Assessing intentions, attitudes, and knowledge about breastfeeding among different language groups is important because the languages reflect...

Association of Maternal Preferred Language with Breastfeeding Attitudes, Intentions, and Knowledge

Article Category: Original Research

Published Online: Nov 22, 2023

Page range: 209 - 216

Received: Mar 03, 2023

Accepted: Oct 19, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34763/jmotherandchild.20232701.d-23-00026

Keywords
breastfeeding, theory of planned behaviour, ethnicity, lactation, lactation education

© 2023 Lincoln Ferguson et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Association of Maternal Preferred Language with Breastfeeding Attitudes, Intentions, and Knowledge

Article Category: Original Research

Published Online: Nov 22, 2023

Page range: 209 - 216

Received: Mar 03, 2023

Accepted: Oct 19, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34763/jmotherandchild.20232701.d-23-00026

Keywordsbreastfeeding, theory of planned behaviour, ethnicity, lactation, lactation education

© 2023 Lincoln Ferguson et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
breastfeeding, theory of planned behaviour, ethnicity, lactation, lactation education