Abstract
BackgroundMobile health, the use of mobile technology in delivering health care, has been found to be effective in changing health behaviors, including improving breastfeeding practices in postpartum women. With the widespread use of smartphones and instant messaging apps in Hong Kong, instant messaging groups could be a useful channel for delivering breastfeeding peer support.ObjectiveThe aim of this paper is to study the feasibility and acceptability of an online instant messaging peer support group by trained peer counselors on improving breastfeeding outcome in primiparous women in Hong Kong.MethodsA two-arm, assessor-blind, randomized controlled feasibility study will be conducted on 40 primiparous women with the intention to breastfeed. Participants are recruited from the antenatal obstetrics and gynecology clinic of a public hospital in Hong Kong and randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to either intervention or control group. The intervention group receives peer support in an online instant messaging group with trained peer counselors on top of standard care, whereas the control group receives standard care. Breastfeeding outcome will be assessed for 6 months post partum or until weaned. The breastfeeding status, the proportion and duration of exclusive and any breastfeeding in each group, and the self-efficacy and attitude of participants will be assessed. The feasibility and acceptability of the study would also be assessed in preparation for a full randomized controlled trial.ResultsThis study (protocol version 1 dated January 5, 2021) has been reviewed and approved by the institutional review board of the University of Hong Kong, Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster (reference UW 21-039), on January 26, 2021. Data collection is ongoing and expected to be completed in December 2021. The findings will be updated on clinical trial registry and disseminated in peer-reviewed journals.ConclusionsThis study aims to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of an online instant messaging peer support group in improving the breastfeeding outcome of primiparous women in Hong Kong. Its findings could inform the feasibility of a full-scale trial with this intervention design.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04826796; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04826796International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/32338
Highlights
Mobile health is the delivery of medical and public health practices using mobile devices [1]
With the advances and increasing ubiquity in mobile technologies, there is an increase in the use of Mobile health (mHealth) interventions for promoting healthy infant feeding practices and breastfeeding
A recent meta-analysis has reported that mHealth significantly improved exclusive breastfeeding initiation, breastfeeding attitude, and knowledge [2]
Summary
Mobile health (mHealth) is the delivery of medical and public health practices using mobile devices [1]. Previous studies have found the use of these online discussion and social networking platforms to be an acceptable, affordable, and accessible method for a range of health promotion intervention, including promoting physical activities [4], healthy diet [5], smoking cessation [6], and reducing alcohol use [7] As these communication tools allow for more personalized and instant response without time and location limitations, interventions delivered through online social networking platforms tend to have a high uptake. Objective: The aim of this paper is to study the feasibility and acceptability of an online instant messaging peer support group by trained peer counselors on improving breastfeeding outcome in primiparous women in Hong Kong. Conclusions: This study aims to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of an online instant messaging peer support group in improving the breastfeeding outcome of primiparous women in Hong Kong. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04826796; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04826796 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/32338
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