Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1085233 Midwifery 2012 6 Pages PDF
Abstract

Objectiveto describe breast-feeding attitudes and practices among Vietnamese women in Ho Chi Minh City.Designa descriptive qualitative study was used. The theory of planned behaviour provided the conceptual framework.Settingthe Well-baby Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of a university hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.Participants23 voluntary Vietnamese mothers.Data collection and analysissemi-structured in-depth interview with five open-ended questions and observation was used. The interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data from the interviews and observations were analysed by use of content analysis.Findingsfive categories of breast-feeding attitudes and practices were identified: breast-feeding best but not exclusive, cultural and traditional beliefs, infant feeding as a learning process, factors influencing decision to breast feed, and intention to feed the child.Key conclusion and implications for practicecultural and traditional beliefs and practices, and socio-economic situation, influenced the Vietnamese mothers' breast feeding. Health-care professionals should consider cultural context and socio-economic issues when preparing infant feeding education and intervention programmes. Appropriate knowledge about cultural values should be included in health-care education in order to provide culturally congruent care to Vietnamese mothers in Vietnam as well as in Western countries.

Related Topics
Health Sciences Medicine and Dentistry Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health
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