Use of Peer Support Group to Improve Knowledge on Exclusive Breastfeeding among Women of Reproductive Age in Kenya
Abstract
Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) advocates and promotes continued feeding of breast milk for children at least six months with no other liquids or solids given. The foremost maternal problems that have been recognized for not continuing feeding the infant on breastmilk for the first six months of their life consist of knowledge on how to manage insufficient breast milk, cracked, sore or painful nipples, engorged breast that causes mother’s pain during breastfeeding, return to work or school by the mother and poor latching. Methods: A quasi-experimental intervention was undertaken in Makueni County, with a sample size of 721 participants. Pregnant mothers recruited at their second trimester of pregnancy the mother-baby pair followed up till 6 months after delivery. The peer support group as an intervention was used to deliver concepts on exclusive breastfeeding in the intervention group, while the control group received the routine health information as indicated in the Ministry of Health guidelines. Results: The results of an independent t-test for knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding in the intervention group indicated the mean score for knowledge improved from 38.2% to 81.64%. Women in the intervention group were more knowledgeable about exclusive breastfeeding than those from the control group post-intervention (81.64% & 47.24%, respectively) (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Peer support is a key intervention in supporting mothers to improve their knowledge and demystify myths and misconceptions about exclusive breastfeeding, therefore engaging the mother and encouraging her to sustain the skill of exclusive breastfeeding
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