Using multi-method community-based participatory research to inform program development: case of a breastfeeding initiative in the Mississippi Delta Region

There is a wealth of literature on the stressors and benefits to breastfeeding, but limited attention has been given to these factors in rural U.S. populations. Understanding these factors in rural contexts is especially... [ view full abstract ]

There is a wealth of literature on the stressors and benefits to breastfeeding, but limited attention has been given to these factors in rural U.S. populations. Understanding these factors in rural contexts is especially important concerning low birth weight infants, as breastfeeding is effective at reducing re-hospitalization and negative health outcomes. This presentation begins by analyzing the low birth weight rates in rural and urban counties in Mississippi and explains the differences between these rates using existing literature. The Right! from the Start Initiative team conducted multi-method community-based participatory research in the Mississippi Delta Region over six years to guide program development for the rural-urban breastfeeding intervention. Research included analysis of secondary data, interviews with mothers at high-risk clinics, interviews and focus groups with mothers at community health centers, surveys of church congregations, and planning meetings with community stakeholders and clinical practitioners. Findings from this multi-method research led to the collaborative between two community health centers in the Mississippi Delta Region (Aaron E. Henry Community Health Center and Delta Health Center), the University of Mississippi Medical Center NICU, and the University of Mississippi Center for Population Studies. The initiative provides lactation and social support for mothers and their low-birth weight infants. Current phase of research includes a quality improvement survey of NICU practitioners across the state and analysis of Medicaid data to track participant outcomes. This multi-method research-based approach to program development has implications for not only existing scholarship on program development, but for greater understanding of rural community health.