{
  "abstract": "Background: Breastfeeding is essential for preterm infant survival, but mothers in low-resource settings like rural Ghana face challenges due to cultural beliefs, limited support, and public stigma. Understanding how societal support influences breastfeeding is crucial for improving outcomes.\n\nMethods: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Fifteen mothers of preterm infants were interviewed on admission at the rural Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Jirapa, Ghana, using semi-structured guides. The data were thematically analysed to explore community and societal influences on breastfeeding.\n\nFindings: Two main themes emerged from the data: community-based support systems and social-cultural influences. Positive influences included peer support groups, flexible work environments, supportive cultural norms, and media awareness. However, stigma and misinformation remained significant barriers.\n\nConclusion: Societal support plays a crucial role in promoting and sustaining breastfeeding among mothers of preterm infants. Strengthening culturally appropriate, evidence-based support systems and reducing stigma can improve breastfeeding outcomes in rural Ghana.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana",
    "University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Emma Annan",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-9348-7919"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Raina Dizoagl",
      "orcid": "0009-0008-1198-1859"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Mary Ani-Amponsah",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-0480-612X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Evelyn Yeboah",
      "orcid": "0009-0002-1885-0372"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Jacob Owusu Sarfo",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-2859-7278"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4mv6dpb03p7p0.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1186/s12884-026-09751-5",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13711945/",
  "id": "4mv6dpb03p7p0",
  "issns": [
    "1471-2393"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-026-09751-5",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Research"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2713|Breastfeeding Practices and Influences"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7171819563",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": "PMC13711945",
  "pmid": "42934559",
  "published": "2026-07-31",
  "publisher": "BMC",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4mv6dpb03p7p0.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-31T12:22:38Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13711945",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-026-09751-5"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2713|Breastfeeding Practices and Influences",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Exploring the role of societal support in shaping breastfeeding experiences among mothers of preterm infants in rural Ghana",
  "title_text": "Exploring the role of societal support in shaping breastfeeding experiences among mothers of preterm infants in rural Ghana",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-31T12:22:38Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4mv6dpb03p7p0",
  "venue": "BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth",
  "versions": []
}