A mixed-methods longitudinal study of Marshallese infant feeding beliefs and experiences in the United States: a study protocol

• Published in: International breastfeeding journal Vol. 16; no. 1; p. 64
• Main Authors: Ayers, Britni L, Bogulski, Cari A, Haggard-Duff, Lauren, Selig, James P, McElfish, Pearl A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 28-08-2021; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Analysis; Arkansas; Babies; Bilingualism; Blood pressure; Breast Feeding; Breastfeeding & lactation; Community; Community-Based Participatory Research; Data collection; Data entry; Diabetes; Disease; Female; Food and nutrition; Humans; Hypertension; Infant; Infant feeding; Infants; Interviews; Longitudinal Studies; Marshallese; Medical records; Methods; Mixed methods research; Mothers; Obesity; Pacific Islander; Pacific Islander people; Participatory research; Postpartum; Prenatal care; Public opinion; Study Protocol; Type 2 diabetes; United States; Womens health; United States; Arkansas; Marshall Islands; United States > US; Community-based participatory research; Marshallese; Pacific Islander; Infant feeding
• ISSN: 1746-4358; 1746-4358
• DOI: 10.1186/s13006-021-00412-1

Arkansas has the largest population of Marshallese Pacific Islanders residing in the continental United States. Marshallese are disproportionately burdened by poorer maternal and infant health outcomes. Exclusive breastfeeding can prevent or help mitigate maternal and infant health disparities. However, exclusive breastfeeding among United States Marshallese communities remains disproportionately low, and the reasons are not well documented. This paper describes the protocol of a mixed-methods concurrent triangulation longitudinal study designed to explore the beliefs and experiences that serve as barriers and/or facilitators to exclusive breastfeeding intention, initiation, and duration among Marshallese mothers in northwest Arkansas.
The mixed-methods design collects qualitative and quantitative data during simultaneous data collection events, at third trimester, six weeks postpartum, and six months postpartum. Quantitative and qualitative data will be analyzed separately and then synthesized during the interpretation phase. The research team will disseminate results to study participants, research stakeholders, the broader Marshallese community, and fellow researchers.
Findings and results will be presented in subsequent manuscripts upon completion of the study. This study will be an important first step to better understand beliefs and experiences to exclusive breastfeeding intention, initiation, and duration in this community and will inform tools and interventions to help improve health outcomes. The study will also aid in filling the gap in research and providing essential information on the infant feeding beliefs and barriers among a Marshallese community in Arkansas.