Effectiveness of peer counseling and membership in breastfeeding support groups in promoting optimal breastfeeding behaviors in the Philippines

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF)and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) remain low in the Philippines. To help meet the 90% EIBF target and to improve infant and young child feeding practices in the Philippines, the Millennium Development Goals - Fund 2030 Joint Programme (JP) on Ensuring Food Security and Nutrition for Children 0-24 months old was implemented. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of visits by a peer counselor during pregnancy and after delivery, and membership in breastfeeding support groups in promoting these optimal breastfeeding practices. We also aimed to examine the interaction between these two activities to assess their joint effects on both EIBF and EBF.Methods: We used data from the Endline Survey of the Joint Program , which collected socioeconomic data from the households of the mother-infant dyads, demographic characteristics of the mothers, and their particular infant and young child feeding practices. We used logistic regression methods for survey data to study these associations.Results: Out of the 2,343 mother-infant dyads, only 1,500 (63.1%) practiced EIBF and only 624 (27.9%) practiced EBF. After controlling for confounders, those who were visited by a peer counselor during the prenatal period had 1.32 times greater odds of practicing EIBF (95%CI: 0.96, 1.80) and 0.91 times lower odds (aOR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.68, 1.22) of practicing EBF compared to those who were not visited. The association between visits by a peer counselor and EIBF was weak and statistically insignificant. The odds of EBF was also 26% higher among those who were visited by peer counselors after delivery (aOR: 1.26; 95% CI: 0.90, 1.75), but this association was also weak and statistically not significant. Members of breastfeeding support groups had 1.49 times higher odds of EIBF (95% CI: 1.12, 1.98) and 1.59 times higher odds of EBF (95% CI: 1.21, 2.10) compared to those who were not members of breastfeeding support groups; both associations were statistically significant. However, there was no interaction between the different exposure variables on their effects on EIBF and EBF. Conclusions: Breastfeeding support groups may be institutionalized to promote both EIBF and EBF in the Philippines. The role of peer counselors in promoting optimal breastfeeding behaviors should be further reviewed in light of the findings of this study.