Location
Spectrum Theatre
Start Date
30-3-2019 9:00 AM
End Date
30-3-2019 10:15 AM
Session Chair
Dr. Gayle L. Casterline
Mentor
Dr. Jill Parker
Description
Abstract
It is well documented in the literature that breastfeeding provides a myriad of health benefits for mothers and infants across the lifespan. However, rates of exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding duration have remained relatively stagnant nationwide. Breastfeeding rates are particularly low for women enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program. Breastfeeding intent and breastfeeding self-efficacy are maternal factors that have been shown to increase breastfeeding rates. The objective of this quality improvement initiative was to increase intent to breastfeed and enhance breastfeeding self-efficacy by implementing a text-messaging intervention for women in the WIC breastfeeding peer-counseling program to improve breastfeeding duration and exclusivity rates and promote maternal and infant health.
Women were eligible to participate if they had access to a mobile device, the ability to text, and could read and write English. Data for breastfeeding intent and self-efficacy were collected at enrollment and at 37 weeks gestation and data for exclusivity and duration were measured at two and six weeks postpartum. Low response rates to the surveys to measure breastfeeding intent and self-efficacy limited data on the effects of the intervention on these two variables. However, comparison of breastfeeding rates between women enrolled in the text-messaging program and those who did not enroll shows that three times as many women in the text-messaging group were exclusively breastfeeding and twice as many were providing any breast milk at six weeks. Moreover, many participants of the text-messaging program expressed satisfaction with the service and the help they received from breastfeeding peer counselors.
A text-messaging educational and support service may have a positive effect on breastfeeding exclusivity and duration rates for the WIC population. The service was a well-accepted method of providing breastfeeding education and support to women enrolled in the WIC breastfeeding peer-counselor program.
Included in
Session I Nursing Presentation 4: MILKED: Messaging to Increase Lactation Knowledge, Exclusivity, and Duration
Spectrum Theatre
Abstract
It is well documented in the literature that breastfeeding provides a myriad of health benefits for mothers and infants across the lifespan. However, rates of exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding duration have remained relatively stagnant nationwide. Breastfeeding rates are particularly low for women enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program. Breastfeeding intent and breastfeeding self-efficacy are maternal factors that have been shown to increase breastfeeding rates. The objective of this quality improvement initiative was to increase intent to breastfeed and enhance breastfeeding self-efficacy by implementing a text-messaging intervention for women in the WIC breastfeeding peer-counseling program to improve breastfeeding duration and exclusivity rates and promote maternal and infant health.
Women were eligible to participate if they had access to a mobile device, the ability to text, and could read and write English. Data for breastfeeding intent and self-efficacy were collected at enrollment and at 37 weeks gestation and data for exclusivity and duration were measured at two and six weeks postpartum. Low response rates to the surveys to measure breastfeeding intent and self-efficacy limited data on the effects of the intervention on these two variables. However, comparison of breastfeeding rates between women enrolled in the text-messaging program and those who did not enroll shows that three times as many women in the text-messaging group were exclusively breastfeeding and twice as many were providing any breast milk at six weeks. Moreover, many participants of the text-messaging program expressed satisfaction with the service and the help they received from breastfeeding peer counselors.
A text-messaging educational and support service may have a positive effect on breastfeeding exclusivity and duration rates for the WIC population. The service was a well-accepted method of providing breastfeeding education and support to women enrolled in the WIC breastfeeding peer-counselor program.