Fellow St. Louis Children's Hospital St Louis, Missouri, United States
Background: Black mothers of preterm infants have lower rates of breastfeeding (throughout: inclusive of providing their breastmilk). Cited reasons for this disparity include lack of knowledge, work obligations and negative cultural norms. Modifiable factors within healthcare such as discrimination, bias, and racism have been shown to impact health outcomes and may also contribute to suboptimal breastfeeding outcomes. Objective: The objective of our study is to examine potentially modifiable factors such as discrimination, bias, and racism in healthcare that may impact breastfeeding among mothers of critically ill preterm infants and their ideas to effectively address these factors Design/Methods: Using rigorous qualitative methodologies, we are conducting in-depth interviews with a purposeful sample of Black mothers of critically ill preterm infants who breastfed during their admission at St. Louis Children’s Hospital NICU. We are asking questions focusing on their experiences with discrimination, bias, and racism and how it impacts breastfeeding. Interviewers received training by a qualitative researcher. Interviews will be transcribed and data will be analyzed using an iterative process and constant comparison. The data are being coded, categories are determined and we will develop themes. We will continue this process until no new themes are identified
