Abstract
To describe the use of social media during the antepartum and postpartum periods among first-time African American mothers and their support persons. A qualitative critical ethnographic research design within the contexts of family life course development theory and Black feminist theory. Participants were recruited from community-based, public health, and home visiting programs. A purposive sample was recruited, consisting of 14 pregnant African American women and eight support persons. Pregnant and postpartum African American women and their support persons were interviewed separately during the antepartum and postpartum periods. Data were analyzed thematically. Participants frequently used social media for education and social support and searched the Internet for perinatal and parenting information. Most participants reported using at least one mobile application during their pregnancies and after giving birth. Social media were typically accessed through smartphones and/or computers using different websites and applications. Although participants gleaned considerable information about infant development from these applications, they had difficulty finding and recalling information about infant feeding. Social media are an important vehicle to disseminate infant feeding information; however, they are not currently being used to full potential. Our findings suggest that future interventions geared toward African American mothers and their support persons should include social media approaches. The way individuals gather, receive, and interpret information is dynamic. The increasing popularity and use of social media platforms offers the opportunity to create more innovative, targeted mobile health interventions for infant feeding and breastfeeding promotion.
Highlights
Our findings suggest that future interventions geared towards African American mothers and their support persons should include social media approaches
The current rates of breastfeeding initiation and continuation in the African American community are significantly lower than rates for all other populations and below the goals set by the Healthy People 2020 initiative: 82% ever breastfed and 61% breastfeeding at 6 months (U.S Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], n.d., 2011)
While the current 59% initiation rate and 30% continuation rate at six months postpartum in African American women is low by comparison and less than optimal, it is important to note that this is an improvement from previous years (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2013a)
Summary
Pregnant and postpartum African American women and their support persons were interviewed separately during the antepartum and postpartum periods. The methodological approach for the study was critical ethnography (Thomas, 1992). Critical ethnography expands on ethnography, which deals with the study of culture or a particular group by focusing on linking social phenomena with underlying themes with the purpose of empowering the population being studied (Hammersley & Atkinson, 2007; Madison, 2005). The approach of this study was further informed by the Family Life Course Development Theory (Bengston & Allen, 1993) and Black Feminist. The Family Life Course Development Theory was selected to examine changes to the familial unit over time; whereas Black Feminist Theory was used to explore the racial, cultural, gender, and socioeconomic oppression experienced by African American women
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