Impact of a computer-based breastfeeding education program on breastfeeding self-efficacy and duration in rural Hispanic women

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding provides numerous benefits for both infant and mother. However, duration of breastfeeding does not meet Healthy People 2020 goals.Research Aim: Researchers developed and evaluated a bilingual, computer-based breastfeeding education program to promote breastfeeding by rural Hispanic mothers. This secondary analysis further examined breastfeeding self-efficacy and duration.Methods: This study was conducted using a two-group repeated measures quasi-experimental design. Participants were randomly assigned to receive breastfeeding education through our computer-based program (intervention, n=23) or printed materials (control, n=23). Assessments were performed at baseline, 3 and 7 days, 2 and 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months postpartum.Results: Duration of breastfeeding did not differ between mothers in the intervention and control groups (p=0.962). The greatest decline in breastfeeding occurred between weeks 2 and 6 and months 3 and 6. Top reasons for discontinuing breastfeeding were issues with milk supply, returning to work, and latch. Mothers who were breastfeeding tended to have greater self-efficacy scores than mothers who were not, significantly so at week 6 and months 3 and 6 (p < 0.001). Intervention mothers using the program tended to breastfeed longer and a greater proportion were still breastfeeding at 6 months, however, program usage was light. Conclusion:Our bilingual computer-based breastfeeding education support program showed potential as a means to improve breastfeeding self-efficacy in this rural Hispanic population. Future efforts will need to take steps to improve program use, perhaps by adapting the program for smartphone delivery and introducing the program to mothers prenatally.The parent RCT study was registered (# NCT03308058) with Clinical Trials.gov on October 30, 2012.

Impacts of antenatal nursing interventions on mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy: an experimental study

“…In this regard, they did not find a significant difference between intervention and control group at baseline or during the early days postpartum. However, differences in self-efficacy scores were considerable at week 6 and months 3 and 6 [21].…”

“…Furthermore a study from Portugal found an association between BSE and women's parity, educational level, Table 5 Comparison of mothers' total postnatal BSE with infants feeding status (two months after delivery) occupational status, and previous breastfeeding experience [15,20]. Aguirre, et al (2018), noted that the effect of the prenatal intervention on BSE could be changed over time point. In this regard, they did not find a significant difference between intervention and control group at baseline or during the early days postpartum.…”

Postpartum Breastfeeding Practices and Attitudes in Parents: A Randomized Study to Evaluate the Effects of Individual and Group Breastfeeding Education of Mothers and Fathers

“…Aguirre et al (2018) stated that the effect of BF education given in the antenatal period on BSE might change over time. In their study, there was no significant difference between the groups before education and in the first days after birth, but there was a significant difference between the groups in the sixth week, third month, and sixth month after birth [ 38 ]. The results of our study are consistent with those of Aguirre et al’s study.…”