LATCH: Lactation Advice Thru Texting Can Help

Yale University249 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to find out if a two-way texting platform to be used as an adjunct tool for breastfeeding peer counselors can improve breastfeeding behaviors among women enrolled in the WIC program in Connecticut. The hypothesis of the study is that providing additional information and support through text messaging starting in pregnancy and continuing after the birth of the child will increase exclusive breastfeeding rates during the first six months of life.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

249

Conditions

Breastfeeding Support

Interventions

LATCH InterventionBEHAVIORAL

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 40 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women \> 18 years * Prenatal intention to breastfeed * Prenatal enrollment \< 28 weeks gestation * Have an unlimited text message cell phone plan * Knows how to send a text message * 5th grade literacy level Exclusion Criteria: * Lack of fluency in either English or Spanish * Infant born premature (\<37 weeks) * \> 3 days in NICU * Any major maternal-newborn medical problem affecting breastfeeding * Birth weight \<5lbs

Locations (1)

Yale School of Public Health

New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate

Time frame: 2 weeks after birth

Change in Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate

Time frame: 3 months after birth

Change in Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate

Time frame: 6 months after birth

Secondary Outcomes

Chance in the Percent of WIC Participants Reached by Breastfeedng Counselor

Time frame: 48 hours after giving birth

Change in Number of Contact Between WIC Participants and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors

Time frame: 2 weeks after birth

Change in Number of Contact Between WIC Participants and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors

Time frame: 3 months after birth

Change in Number of Contact Between WIC Participants and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors

Time frame: 6 months after birth

Change in breastfeeding self-efficacy

Self-efficacy refers to an individuals' confidence in their capability to initiate, maintain, and (if stopped) re-start breastfeeding. It will be measured with the scale proposed by Schwarzer. Self-efficacy scale includes 5 questions, each with 4 response options ranging from "very false" to "very true". Average score will be generated by summing responses to questions 1 through 5 and dividing by the total number of questions. Average scores will range from 1 to 4. The higher the score the better the level of self-efficacy. Reference: Schwarzer R. Modeling health behavior change: How to predict and modify the adoption and maintenance of health behaviors. Applied Psychology: An International Review. 2008 2008;57(1):1-29.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Change in breastfeeding action planning

Action planning refers to the "when", "where", and "how" of the behavior or the sequence of events making up breastfeeding behaviors. It will be measured with the scale proposed by Schwarzer. Action planning scale includes 7 questions, each with 4 response options ranging from "very false" to "very true". An average score will be generated by summing responses to questions 1 through 7 and dividing by the total number of questions. Average scores will range from 1 to 4. The higher the score the better the level of action planning. Reference: Schwarzer R. Modeling health behavior change: How to predict and modify the adoption and maintenance of health behaviors. Applied Psychology: An International Review. 2008 2008;57(1):1-29.

Time frame: 2 weeks

Change in breastfeeding coping planning

Coping planning refers to the identification of potential barriers to engaging in and maintaining breastfeeding behavior and the extent to which an individual has developed strategies to cope with those barriers. It will be measured with the scale proposed by Schwarzer. Coping planning scale includes 6 questions, each with 4 response options ranging from "very false" to "very true". An average score will be generated by summing responses to questions 1 through 6 and dividing by the total number of questions. Average scores will range from 1 to 4. The higher the score the better the level of coping planning. Reference: Schwarzer R. Modeling health behavior change: How to predict and modify the adoption and maintenance of health behaviors. Applied Psychology: An International Review. 2008 2008;57(1):1-29.

Time frame: 2 weeks