Ayanna Robinson, MPH Mina Rasheed, MPH DeBran Jacobs, MPH Lailaa Ragins, MPH Morehouse School of Medicine, Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine Abstract Breastfeeding is the most preferred form of nutrient intake for infants in their first year of life. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for optimal growth and development for the first six months of life. Breast milk provides almost all the necessary nutrients, growth factors and immunological advantages that full term infants need. In addition, breastfeeding provides benefits to mothers, including decreased postpartum bleeding, early involution of the uterus, postpartum weight loss, and protection against ovarian cancer and breast cancer. In spite of these benefits, breastfeeding rates among African American mothers remain low when compared to other ethnic groups. The purpose of this program was to increase the onset and duration of breastfeeding among young African American mothers. The 5 session program was administered as part of the GED and the Vocational Training Program at Atlanta Technical College. Using materials from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, The Le Leche League International, and evidence based research efforts, the sessions addressed various issues like, the importance of breastfeeding and its benefits for mothers and infants, cultural norms that affect breastfeeding rates, and support for breastfeeding women. The program also addressed ways to prevent repeat pregnancies. Pre and post tests were used to evaluate the program objectives. The pretests were administered at the beginning of the program in order to gauge the general knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about breastfeeding. The post tests were administered at the final session. Participants receive 3 and 6 month follow ups to verify breastfeeding status. Breast is best - A breastfeeding intervention program for young minority mothers Discussion With African Americans having the lowest rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration and the highest rates of infant mortality and other chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, effective interventions are needed to lessen the gap in this disparity. Overall, students intentions to initiate breastfeeding remained the same (4.33 out of 5) based on pre and post test answers. The intended duration for breastfeeding their infants, however, increased to 12 months, which is in alliance with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The self efficacy to breastfeed as long as they intended also increased by the conclusion of the program. There were mixed results for changes in knowledge, which could be attributed to absences. One of the major challenges for this intervention was attendance. The mothers in this program experienced a variety of set backs, including childcare and illness which sometimes prevented them from attending sessions. This program will continue in the future with more students from the Atlanta Technical College. Results Objectives Increase the participants knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding by 30% ; Increase their general knowledge of breastfeeding practices, including latching positions, gauging milk production, and maternal nutrition while breastfeeding by 30%; and Increase their likelihood of breastfeeding in the future by 20% as measured by the participants’ changes in attitudes (perceptions, intent, and self efficacy) towards breastfeeding and breastfeeding practices through pre and post test evaluations. Methods Five sessions were held with expectant mothers, ages 18-20, who attend Atlanta Technical College as part of the GED and the Vocational Training Program. Session 1: Benefits and Barriers to Breastfeeding Session 2: “How to” Breastfeed (led by lactation consultant) Session 3: Breastfeeding for the Working Mother/Student (panel discussion) Session 4: Nutrition While Breastfeeding Session 5: Repeat Pregnancy Prevention and Closing Ceremony Pretest and post test evaluations were used to evaluate the program objectives. Descriptive analysis was used to determine demographic information of program participants. Paired t-tests were used to determine the change in knowledge and intentions from pre and post test with a p value < 0.05 used to determine significance. Participants will receive three month and sixth month follow ups to verify breastfeeding status. Acknowledgements  Morehouse School of Medicine Department of Community Health and Preventive  Atlanta Technical College  Lactation Consultants of Atlanta, Inc.  Neighborhood Union Health Center Introduction Breastfeeding is the most preferred form of nutrient intake for infants in their first year of life; it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, US Department of Health and Human Services, and World Health Organization. For optimal growth and development it is suggested that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six (6) months of life and continue, with the addition of solid foods, through their first year and beyond. Breastfeeding provides myriad of health benefits for child and mother including: Reduced risk of infant mortality, ear infections, stomach viruses, diarrhea, dental cavities, asthma, diabetes, SIDS, pediatric obesity for infants; Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, ovarian, uterine, and breast cancer, post partum depression, hip fractures, and osteoporosis, decreased post partum bleeding, faster return to pre-pregnancy weight, increased child spacing Unique opportunity to form close physical and emotional bond with baby. In 2006, African Americans had the lowest breastfeeding rates of all racial and ethnic groups at initiation and 6 months post partum: 59.9% and 29.3% (African Americans) versus 73.9% and 43.3% (all racial and ethnic groups) (CDC, 2009). Healthy People 2010 Goals are 75% and 50% respectively. The absence of breastfeeding role models is reported more often among African-Americans. There is a significant positive association between breastfeeding and the presence of breastfeeding role models among African American young women (Wiemann, et al., 1998). The purpose of this program is to increase the onset and duration of breastfeeding among young African American mothers. Education on breastfeeding has been shown to be the single most effective intervention for increasing breastfeeding initiation and short-term duration (CDC, 2009). Contact information: Ayanna Robinson