Abstract
In Malaysia, the rates of mothers practising breastfeeding exclusively among babies at six months of age still do not achieve the Global Nutritional Targets 2025 which is 50%. To determine the effectiveness of breastfeeding intervention in improving breastfeeding outcomes. A quasi-experimental design was used involving a purposive sample of 96 primigravidas (intervention group (IG) = 48, control group (CG) = 48) recruited at Hospital USM. Data were collected using the Breastfeeding Assessment Questionnaire. Mothers in IG received the current usual care and two hours of an additional education programme on breastfeeding, breastfeeding booklet, notes from the module, and postnatal breastfeeding support in the first week of postpartum. Mothers in CG received the current usual care only. The mothers were assessed on the first and sixth week and then the fourth and sixth month of postpartum. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups on the fourth month postpartum (X2 = 5.671, P = 0.017) in practicing full breastfeeding. The breastfeeding duration rates of the IG were longer than those of the CG. However, the results showed only two follow-up weeks that were significant (week 6, X2 = 5.414, P = 0.020, month 4, X2 = 7.515, P = 0.006). There was a statistically significant difference between IG and CG as determined by one-way ANCOVA on the breastfeeding duration after controlling age and occupation, F (3, 82) = 6.7, P = 0.011. The test revealed that the breastfeeding duration among IG was significantly higher (20.80 ± 6.31) compared to CG (16.98 ± 8.97). Breastfeeding intervention can effectively increase breastfeeding duration and exclusivity outcomes among primiparous mothers.
Highlights
Breastfeeding is the best way to provide complete nutrients for infants to achieve the maximum healthy growth and development
The test revealed that the breastfeeding duration among Intervention Group (IG) was significantly higher (20.80 ± 6.31) compared to Control Group (CG) (16.98 ± 8.97)
At the first and sixth weeks and sixth months of postpartum, the results showed a higher proportion of mothers in IG practising full breastfeeding, compared to the CG
Summary
Breastfeeding is the best way to provide complete nutrients for infants to achieve the maximum healthy growth and development. Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as an infant that receives only breast milk while no other fluids or foods are given until the infants reach six months of age. Since 2003, World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends mothers globally to give exclusive breastfeeding to their infants until six months of age. Thereafter, infants should be introduced to safe complementary (solid) foods at six months while breastfeeding needs to sustain for up to two years of life or longer (2). In Malaysia, the rates of mothers practising breastfeeding exclusively among babies at six months of age still do not achieve the Global Nutritional Targets 2025 which is 50%
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