Development of a Breastfeeding Supportive Mobile Application

Overview

This work; The aim of this study was to develop a breastfeeding-supporting mobile application and to determine the effect of this application on breastfeeding self-efficacy and outcomes of primiparous. The research is planned to be carried out in two stages. In the first phase of the research, a mobile breastfeeding application based on Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Theory will be developed. In the second phase of the study, a single-blind randomized pre-test-post-test control group intervention study design will be used to examine the effect of this developed application on breastfeeding self-efficacy and outcomes of primiparous. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does the breastfeeding-supporting mobile application based on the Breastfeeding-Self-Efficacy Theory change the breastfeeding-self-efficacy of women? 2. Does a breastfeeding support mobile application based on the Breastfeeding-Self-Efficacy Theory change the rate of women starting breastfeeding within the first hour after birth? 3. Does a breastfeeding-supporting mobile application based on the Breastfeeding-Self-Efficacy Theory change women's time to breastfeed alone? 4. Does a breastfeeding support mobile application based on the Breastfeeding-Self-Efficacy Theory change the breastfeeding duration of women?

With the widespread adoption of smartphones and mobile software applications in healthcare delivery, developments in technology have significantly affected healthcare delivery models. Traditionally, only face-to-face interviews with health professionals have begun to be supported by mobile health applications (mHealth applications). An mHealth application refers to a standalone software application that can provide healthcare-related services through the use of portable devices such as smartphones. These applications provide more self-management in different health conditions and make it possible for individuals to access universal information, education and support network "anytime, anywhere" and therefore to receive care at home. Pregnant women and women who have just given birth are among the groups that most need and access health information online. They frequently use online applications to meet their need for information on birth and breastfeeding. In a systematic review of free-access mobile breastfeeding applications, it was revealed that there is a need to design a high-quality and interactive professional breastfeeding application that can encourage long-term breastfeeding behavior. It is thought that these practices have an important place in encouraging and supporting especially first-time mothers to breastfeed.