<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec><h3>Objective</h3><p>To elucidate the perceptions of young Chinese adults aged 18–25 toward adopting breastfeeding in public in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong), China.</p></sec><sec><h3>Methods</h3><p>A descriptive and exploratory study design was adopted. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling. Focus group data were collected from three semi-structured interviews. Responses from 18 participants were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using content analysis.</p></sec><sec><h3>Results</h3><p>Four themes emerged that described the young adults’ perceptions and barriers toward breastfeeding practices: (1) adaptability of self and others, (2) cultural deem and practice, (3) convenience and connection, and (4) education and advocacy. Interestingly, all respondents (male and female) are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding. Their negative perceptions toward breastfeeding initiation and continuation originate from factors that are essentially extraneous to the mother–infant dyads (such as the breadth and intensity of sociopolitical support, the dominant social beliefs and norms, and the inadequacy of breastfeeding education in adolescent years).</p></sec><sec><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>In general, the young adult's perception of breastfeeding is dominated by sociopolitical and cultural-related factors. In particular, sexualization of breasts as a deep-rooted belief in the Chinese context negatively affects young adults’ perceptions and limits their breastfeeding practices.</p></sec></abstract>

ObjectiveTo elucidate the perceptions of young Chinese adults aged 18–25 toward adopting breastfeeding in public in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong), China.MethodsA descriptive and exploratory study design was adopted. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling. Focus group data were collected from three semi-structured interviews. Responses from 18 participants were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using content analysis.ResultsFour themes emerged that described the young adults’ perceptions and barriers toward breastfeeding practices: (1) adaptability of self and others, (2) cultural deem and practice, (3) convenience and connection, and (4) education and advocacy. Interestingly, all respondents (male and female) are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding. Their negative perceptions toward breastfeeding initiation and continuation originate from factors that are essentially extraneous to the mother–infant dyads (such as the breadth and intensity of sociopolitical support, the dominant social beliefs and norms, and the inadequacy of breastfeeding education in adolescent years).ConclusionsIn general, the young adult's perception of breastfeeding is dominated by sociopolitical and cultural-related factors. In particular, sexualization of breasts as a deep-rooted belief in the Chinese context negatively affects young adults’ perceptions and limits their breastfeeding practices.

Young adults’ perceptions of breastfeeding in public: a focus group study

Frontiers of Nursing

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Young adults\u2019 perceptions of breastfeeding in public: a focus group study"}

ObjectiveTo elucidate the perceptions of young Chinese adults aged 18–25 toward adopting breastfeeding in public in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region...

Characteristic	All (n = 18)		Male (n = 9)		Female (n = 9)

	n	%	n	%	n	%
Occupation
Student	8	44	3	34	5	55
Employed	9	50	6	66	3	34
Unemployed	1	6	0	0	1	11
Educational level
Secondary	1	6	1	12	0	0
Post-secondary	8	44	5	55	1	12
Bachelor's degree	5	28	0	0	5	55
Post-graduate	4	22	3	33	3	33
Age
18	0	0	0	0	0	0
19	0	0	0	0	0	0
20	2	11	1	11	1	11
21	2	11	1	11	1	11
22	3	17	0	0	3	34
23	3	17	2	22	1	11
24	3	17	2	22	1	11
25	5	27	3	34	2	22
Marital status
Single	18	100	9	100	9	100
Married	0	0	0	0	0	0
Divorced	0	0	0	0	0	0
Widowed	0	0	0	0	0	0
Monthly income, US$
0	4	22	1	12.5	3	30
<1,249	5	28	2	25	3	30
1,250–2,549	6	33	4	50	2	20
>2,500	3	17	1	12.5	2	20
Religious belief
Nil	17	94	8	89	9	100
Christian	1	6	1	11	0	0
Catholic	0	0	0	0	0	0
Buddhism	0	0	0	0	0	0

No.	Question
1.	Tell me about what is your perception of breastfeeding, and how do you know about it?
2.	Can you tell me about how you feel about breastfeeding and do your wish to adopt breastfeeding to your own baby?
3.	Do you have relatives or partners who had experience of breastfeeding in public? What is your opinion on her breastfeeding? How long for her to breastfeed her baby?
4.	How do you feel about a woman breastfeeding in public? Do you find it is annoying and disgusting or you find it is a normal way of feeding your own baby in public?
5.	If you are against breastfeeding in public, what makes you feel breastfeeding in public is unacceptable?
6.	If you accept breastfeeding in public, what makes you feel breastfeeding in public is acceptable?
7.	What are the supports or advice that you think should give to the breastfeeding mother?

Young adults’ perceptions of breastfeeding in public: a focus group study

Article Category: Original article

Published Online: Oct 02, 2020

Page range: 217 - 226

Received: Sep 12, 2019

Accepted: Nov 22, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fon-2020-0023

Keywords
breastfeeding, young adult, perceptions, Chinese, Hong Kong

© 2020 Ka-Huen Yip et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Characteristics of focus groups discussion.

Focus group question guide.

Young adults’ perceptions of breastfeeding in public: a focus group study

Article Category: Original article

Published Online: Oct 02, 2020

Page range: 217 - 226

Received: Sep 12, 2019

Accepted: Nov 22, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fon-2020-0023

Keywordsbreastfeeding, young adult, perceptions, Chinese, Hong Kong

© 2020 Ka-Huen Yip et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Characteristics of focus groups discussion.

Focus group question guide.

Keywords
breastfeeding, young adult, perceptions, Chinese, Hong Kong