The purpose of this study is to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum in the Inland Empire by addressing inadequate antenatal breastfeeding education for patients.
A total of 196 participants will be enrolled and randomized into two groups: an experimental cohort that receives supplemental breastfeeding education during three of their scheduled prenatal visits, and a control group that continues with standard prenatal care alone. Medical students will undergo lactation counselor training to be prepared to visit and educate patients. Both arms of the study will take a pre-survey at the first visit and a post-survey at 6 weeks postpartum to evaluate breastfeeding knowledge, confidence, and motivation. Medical students will also take a survey pre-training and post-study to evaluate growth in breastfeeding education.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
196
First meeting will include a pre-test and will go over risks, benefits, and goals for breastfeeding for the mother, baby and family. Second meeting will go over barriers to breastfeeding and the difference between formula and breastmilk. Third visit will include a post-test and go over misconceptions of breastfeeding and the optimal frequency to breastfeed their newborn. Appropriate flyers will be administered at each visit. Congratulatory \& supportive text at birth and 6-week follow up survey will also be administered.
Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Offices
Loma Linda, California, United States
RECRUITINGPrevalence of Exclusive Breastfeeding at 6 Weeks Postpartum.
Subjects will complete a Qualtrics survey of 2 questions administered via text message, to determine breastfeeding exclusivity. This survey will be calculated on a Likert scale 0-100. A percentage of 100% will determine exclusive breastfeeding. A percentage of 70-90% represents intermittent breastfeeding. A percentage of less than 70% represents non-exclusive breastfeeding.
Time frame: Change between baseline (time of newborn's first feeding) and 6 week post-partum visit.
Breastfeeding education pre and post self-efficacy scores of medical students
Assessment of medical student proficiency in breastfeeding management and patient care will be measured using a 25-item multiple-choice questionnaire. The survey evaluates core competencies before and after a structured educational intervention, including the Institute for the Advancement of Breastfeeding and Lactation Education (IABLE) course and a supplemental PowerPoint presentation given by Dr. Elaine Hart. Each question is worth one point, with total scores ranging from 0 to 25; a higher score indicates an increase in breastfeeding knowledge and management competency.
Time frame: Change between baseline through study completion, an average of 1 year.
Maternal Satisfaction with Antenatal Breastfeeding Support and Knowledge, Motivation, and Confidence.
Assessment of maternal satisfaction with antenatal breastfeeding support, knowledge, motivation, and confidence will be measured using a 13-item questionnaire. The instrument utilizes a combination of 5-point Likert scales to assess self-efficacy and motivation, as well as objective multiple-choice questions to evaluate understanding of breastfeeding benefits, infant output, and clinical management. Knowledge-based items are scored with one point for each correct response, while Likert-scale items are recorded by their selected numerical value (1-5). A higher total composite score represents a longitudinal increase in breastfeeding knowledge, confidence, and motivation from baseline (pre-enrollment) to the 6-week postpartum follow-up.
Time frame: Change between 1st trimester and 6 weeks postpartum.
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