title: [Controlled study of a regular telephone support program given by volunteers on the establishment of breastfeeding].
abstract: The goal of this controlled trial was to evaluate the impact of a volunteer telephone support program on the ability of the mothers to reach their breastfeeding objectives and to reduce the number of difficulties while nursing. Two hundred expectant women were randomly assigned to two groups. The first group received the usual services from the professionals and the second had the extra service from a trained volunteer. By comparing the proportions of women still breastfeeding at each month, the present study showed that this type of support was ineffective in meeting the objectives. The gap between the intended length of breastfeeding and the duration achieved was equally large in both groups. Only 30% breastfed for the length of time envisaged during pregnancy. Strategies to increase the effectiveness of this type of service are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Régie régionale de la Santé et des Services sociaux de Montréal-Centre.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mongeon
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Allard
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013689:Telephone; D013997:Time Factors; D014838:Volunteers
vernacular_title: Essai contrôlé d'un soutien téléphonique régulier donné par une bénévole sur le déroulement et l'issue de l'allaitement.