Evaluating effects of a prenatal web-based breastfeeding education programme in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to evaluate a web-based breastfeeding education programme provided to primigravida in the third trimester of pregnancy with the aim of deepening breastfeeding knowledge and enhancing skills. The study was conducted at a hospital in Taiwan.


BACKGROUND
Education is the cornerstone supporting the framework of lactation and breastfeeding. Web-based instruction is an efficient way to provide education.


METHODS
A quasi-experimental design was used.


METHODS
The target population was women at 29-36 weeks gestation using the Internet on regular basis. The primigravida were assigned to either the control group (n=60) or the experimental group (n=60) according to time sequence.


RESULTS
Women who received web-based breastfeeding education had a higher mean breastfeeding knowledge score and more positive attitude about breastfeeding. In addition, generalized estimating equations (GEE) model was used to examine the breastfeeding rate at different time points. After adjusting for the time trend and infant birth weight, there was a significant effect in exclusive breastfeeding for the experimental group. On the other hand, the web-based breastfeeding education programme also had a significant effect on mixed feeding rate for the experimental group.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that web-based breastfeeding education may contribute to breastfeeding knowledge and attitude and improved breastfeeding rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Web-based breastfeeding education programme can achieve success in promoting breastfeeding and provide health professionals with an evidence-based intervention.
Huang
Mei Zen
MZ
Delivery Ward, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, and Graduate Institute of Nurse-Midwifery, National Taipei College of Nursing, Taiwan.
Kuo
Su-Chen
SC
Avery
Melissa D
MD
Chen
Wei
W
Lin
Kuan-Chia
KC
Gau
Meei-Ling
ML
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D020073:Gravidity; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan