Knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding in an African American male population

To measure knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding among African American men.

Cross-sectional survey.

Three barbershops in Dallas, Texas.

African American adult men (N = 81).

Surveys were completed by African American men to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and involvement in breastfeeding.

One half of the participants were age 26 to 40. Eighty-five percent were U.S.-born, and others were born in several African countries. Education varied from some high school to postgraduate. Most had some college or a degree (78%). One half were fathers (51%), and most were single (61%). Most had witnessed breastfeeding (85%), and 58% preferred their infants to be breastfed. Only 47% knew that breastfeeding helps prevent infant infections, and 15% knew it can prevent breast cancer in the mother. Significant differences were found when comparing knowledge and attitudes by place of birth and age. Almost one half of men age 18 to 25 (43%) and age 25 to 40 (48%) felt that breastfeeding should not occur in public compared to only 4% of men older than 40 (p = .005).

Overall, we found that African American men were supportive of breastfeeding, knew that breastfeeding was best for infants, and had positive attitudes toward breastfeeding. However, we found consistent gaps in knowledge about the actual health benefits to mothers and infants and conflicting attitudes toward breastfeeding. Results emphasize the need for health education efforts to improve attitudes toward breastfeeding in public.