The health belief model as an explanation for breast-feeding practices in a Hispanic population

Pender's modification of the health belief model was used to examine the motivations for breast-feeding in a group of 140 primiparous women along the US-Mexican border. The backward elimination technique of linear regression was used to order the variables in the model. The findings indicate that the three components of the health belief model--individual perceptions, modifying factors, and likelihood of action--are useful in predicting health-related outcomes. Each component of the model made an independent contribution to the breast-feeding decision but varied in the strength of the contribution. The only significant interpersonal influence on the feeding decision was that of the husband or partner. More empirical research with the model is necessary, however, in order to develop it as a paradigm for prenatal health.