A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study of Breastfeeding Attitudes among Southern African Americans.

We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of examining breast/chest feeding attitudes among African Americans in South Carolina using an explanatory sequential, mixed methods approach. We surveyed 50 pregnant African American women during their ob-gyn appointment (Phase I), followed by qualitative interviews with four African American couples (N = 8) (Phase II), and integrating quantitative-qualitative data through joint display (Phase III). Phase I supported the feasibility of recruiting pregnant African American women for our study. However, for Phase II, more research is needed to support the feasibility of recruiting couples from the quantitative phase. The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale demonstrated moderate reliability (α = 0.68). Participants intending to exclusively breastfeed (M = 65, SD = 5.79) had higher scores than those intending to exclusively use formula (M = 50, SD = 4.37, p < .001). The six qualitative themes (Phase II) and data integration (Phase III) identified cultural considerations for future research.

Social Inequalities in Palliative Care for Cancer Patients in the United States: A Structured Review.

OBJECTIVES: To identify patterns of access to and use or provision of palliative care services in medically underserved and vulnerable groups diagnosed with cancer. DATA SOURCES: Google Scholar, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science were searched to identify peer-reviewed studies that described palliative care in medically underserved or vulnerable populations diagnosed with cancer. CONCLUSION: Disparities in both access and referral to palliative care are evident in many underserved groups. There is evidence that some groups received poorer quality of such care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Achieving health equity in access to and receipt of quality palliative care requires prioritization of this area in clinical practice and in research funding.