Barriers to breastfeeding in a Vietnamese community: a qualitative exploration.

PURPOSE: Vietnamese women's breastfeeding experience and challenges were explored, as were their families' needs for prenatal and postpartum health professional programs and services. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted in Middlesex-London, Ontario, using in-depth, semi-structured interviews in a heterogeneous sample of 11 Vietnamese mothers of children younger than two years. Diverse subject characteristics were sought in terms of parity, maternal age, infant age, marital status, education, employment, and breastfeeding initiation and duration. The 45- to 60-minute interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Research team members independently reviewed interview transcripts at several stages during data collection. Qualitative analysis was sequential, and involved a combination of editing and template organizing styles. RESULTS: Lack of knowledge and misinformation were major barriers to breastfeeding. Inability to communicate in English and a lack of effective transportation were key obstacles to the women's ability to access mainstream prenatal and postpartum health programs and services. Standard nursing prenatal and postpartum services appear not to have reached this group of mothers effectively. CONCLUSIONS: Culturally and linguistically sensitive breastfeeding promotion and postpartum support services are needed for this Vietnamese community.