Trust Black Women: Using Photovoice to Amplify the Voices of Black Women to Identify and Address Barriers to Breastfeeding in Southeast Georgia.

Barriers to breastfeeding for Black mothers are well documented in the literature. Local context is crucial for understanding and addressing barriers. Our research used the photovoice method to amplify the voices of Black mothers in Chatham County, Georgia. Guided by the sociol-ecological model, this photovoice project explored and identified the social, cultural, and physical barriers to breastfeeding that the mothers experienced. Two additional themes emerged through data analysis: personal comfort with public breastfeeding and the women's recommendations for breastfeeding support and normalization. Lack of physical spaces, lack of peer and family support, the need to overcome the stigma associated with breastfeeding, and advocating for more lactation spaces were commonly stated by the participants. These results led to the creation of a policy toolkit, a breastfeeding policy template, a proclamation to make the City of Savannah a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community, an online photobook to share the experiences of the mothers, and additional paths of dialogue to increase inclusivity and expand health equity within Chatham County.

Black College Women and the Health of Black College Men.

The purpose of this study was to understand the influence Black college women have on the health behaviors of Black men. Using the Health Belief Model and the socioecological model as guides, focus groups and interviews were conducted with Black college men (n = 35) and Black college females (n = 25) at a Historically Black College and University in the Southern United States. Participants provided responses to questions on what impacts their health behaviors and whose health they influence. Results indicate that Black college men believed Black peer women influence decisions they make regarding their diet, physical activity, and general health behaviors. However, Black college women believe they only influenced physical activity and sexual health in Black college men. While they understood they had some influence on their health, the women were unsure if they had long-term influence. These findings highlight the need for programming that informs young Black women on the important role they play in the health of men in their lives, particularly young Black men. These findings also highlight the need for peer health educator training to cross-train educators on health issues of all gender groups.

Comparison of practice based research network based quality improvement technical assistance and evaluation to other ongoing quality improvement efforts for changes in agency culture.

BACKGROUND: Public health agencies in the USA are increasingly challenged to adopt Quality Improvement (QI) strategies to enhance performance. Many of the functional and structural barriers to effective use of QI can be found in the organizational culture of public health agencies. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of public health practice based research network (PBRN) evaluation and technical assistance for QI interventions on the organizational culture of public health agencies in Georgia, USA. METHODS: An online survey of key informants in Georgia's districts and county health departments was used to compare perceptions of characteristics of organizational QI culture between PBRN supported QI districts and non-PBRN supported districts before and after the QI interventions. The primary outcomes of concern were number and percentage of reported increases in characteristics of QI culture as measured by key informant responses to items assessing organizational QI practices from a validated instrument on QI Collaboratives. Survey results were analyzed using Multi-level Mixed Effects Logistic Model, which accounts for clustering/nesting. RESULTS: Increases in QI organizational culture were consistent for all 10- items on a QI organizational culture survey related to: leadership support, use of data, on-going QI, and team collaboration. Statistically significant odds ratios were calculated for differences in increased QI organizational culture between PBRN-QI supported districts compared to Non-PBRN supported districts for 5 of the 10 items, after adjusting for District clustering of county health departments. CONCLUSIONS: Agency culture, considered by many QI experts as the main goal of QI, is different than use of specific QI methods, such as Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles or root-cause analyses. The specific use of a QI method does not necessarily reflect culture change. Attempts to measure QI culture are newly emerging. This study documented significant improvements in characteristics of organizational culture and demonstrated the potential of PBRNs to support agency QI activities.

Parental Knowledge and Perceptions on Prevention of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Infant Care.

(1) Background: The study's purpose was to explore the knowledge, perceptions, and confidence of mothers about infant care to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected infant death. (2) Methods: A purposeful sampling method was used to recruit 15 first-time mothers from Georgia with infants under 1 year of age. The researchers utilized the Socio-ecological model to report the results. Participants also provided recommendations on how to improve infant care and reduce the risk of SUID. (3) Results: The confidence level of infant care among most participants was low but increased over time. Mothers' knowledge level about the prevention of SUID was high, but poor emotional health could hurt their parental abilities. Most participants recognized medical providers as the main source of reliable information. However, a lack of emotional and physical support was reported by mothers. (4) Conclusions: Results suggested that a more holistic approach to infant care is needed. The healthcare system and communities should provide more physical, social, and mental support to first-time mothers, a consolidated approach to care before and after birth, and easy access to services at all stages of the process to reduce the risk of SUID.

Grown woman: Understanding what influences health behaviors in black female students at a HBCU.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand what influences health behaviors in Black female students at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).Participants and Methods: Twenty-five Black female students enrolled at a HBCU in the southern United States participated in five focus groups and one interview. Qualitative analysis was used to analyze data for similar themes and codes.Results: The three areas that appear to influence health behaviors are interpersonal, community, and society.Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for HBCUs to develop health programs for Black women on their campus that include elements of interpersonal support. Additionally, HBCUs need to work on how they create an environment that provides their female students with the resources they need to be able to live a healthy life.