Background: Breastfeeding is recognized internationally as the most scientific and effective way to feed infants and young children. According to the World Health Organization in 2022, the exclusive breastfeeding rate within 6 months is 34.1% in China, which is still far from the goal of "more than 60% exclusive breastfeeding rate of infants within 6 months" by 2030 required by China's State Council. It is necessary to promote breastfeeding and provide maternal breastfeeding guidance to increase exclusive breastfeeding. Factors influencing breastfeeding can be explained by the society ecosystems theory, distributed in macro, mezzo and micro systems. The interventions focused on breastfeeding promotion are mainly carried out in the health systems and services, home and family environment, community environment, work environment, policy environment or a combination of these facilities. But there is sparse research on integrating resources in the macro, mezzo and micro systems of maternal breastfeeding processes to promote breastfeeding behavior. A randomized controlled trial will test the effect of a breastfeeding promotion intervention model based on the society ecosystems theory versus usual prenatal and postnatal care on maternal and infant health and the exclusive breastfeeding rate at 6 months.
Methods/design: The study is a single-blind, parallel design, randomized controlled trial with an intervention group (n = 109) and a control group (n = 109) that compares the effect of a breastfeeding promotion intervention model based on the society ecosystems theory with usual prenatal and postnatal care. The intervention covers macro- (policy, culture), mezzo- (family-hospital-community) and micro- (biological, psychological and social) systems of the maternal breastfeeding process. Infant feeding patterns, neonatal morbidity and physical and mental health of antenatal and postpartum women will be collected at baseline (28 to 35 weeks of gestation), 1-, 4-, and 6-month postpartum.
Discussion: This is a multifaceted, multifactorial, and multi-environmental breastfeeding promotion strategy to help mothers and their families learn breastfeeding knowledge and skills. The study provides a new modality for adding breastfeeding interventions to prenatal and postnatal care for healthcare providers in the hospital and the community.
Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry at www.chictr.org.cn , ChiCTR2300075795.
Keywords: Breastfeeding; Nursing; Protocol; Randomized controlled trial; Society ecosystems theory.
Maternal education and support during breastfeeding can increase maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy, promote breastfeeding behaviors, and improve maternal and infant health outcomes. The interventions focused on breastfeeding promotion are mainly carried out in the health systems and services, home and family environment, community environment, work environment, policy environment or a combination of any of these facilities. But there is sparse research on integrating in multifaceted, multifactorial, and multi-environmental resources of maternal breastfeeding processes to help pregnant women and their families learn breastfeeding knowledge and skills. The current study optimizes the existing breastfeeding promotion intervention program and construct a breastfeeding promotion intervention program to correct the public’s perception of breastfeeding, increase breastfeeding self-efficacy and improve breastfeeding behavior, thus increasing the breastfeeding duration and improving maternal and infant outcomes. The program includes presenting breastfeeding-related policies and support facilities; prenatal educational sessions combined with theories and skills on breastfeeding, development of lactation, infants feeding and cares for maternal families; postnatal hands-on instruction and WeChat group peer support from hospital; home visits, group counseling and experience sharing from community and one-on-one personalized counseling throughout the intervention. The present study will be conducted to evaluate the effect of breastfeeding promotion intervention including prenatal and postnatal care on the breastfeeding duration, breastfeeding attitudes, knowledge, and self-efficacy, maternal and infant health.
© 2023. The Author(s).