 |
 |

Effectiveness of Breastfeeding Peer Counseling in a Low-Income, Predominantly Latina Population
A Randomized Controlled Trial
Donna J. Chapman, PhD, RD;
Grace Damio, MS, CD-N;
Sara Young, MSN, RN, IBCLC;
Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, PhD
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004;158:897-902.
Background Breastfeeding peer counseling has improved breastfeeding rates in developing countries; however, its impact in this country has not been adequately evaluated.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of an existing, breastfeeding peer counseling program within the United States.
Design Randomized, prospective, controlled trial in which participants were recruited prenatally and randomly assigned to receive either routine breastfeeding education or routine breastfeeding education plus peer counseling.
Setting An urban hospital serving a large population of low-income Latinas.
Participants Pregnant women ( 26 weeks' gestation) were recruited from the hospital's prenatal clinic. Inclusion criteria specified that participants be low income, be considering breastfeeding, have delivered a healthy, full-term singleton, and have access to a telephone.
Intervention Breastfeeding peer counseling services included 1 prenatal home visit, daily perinatal visits, 3 postpartum home visits, and telephone contact as needed.
Main Outcome Measures Breastfeeding rates at birth and 1, 3, and 6 months postpartum.
Results The proportion not initiating breastfeeding was significantly lower in the intervention group than among controls (8/90 [9%] vs 17/75 [23%]; relative risk, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.86). The probability of stopping breastfeeding also tended to be lower in the intervention group at both 1 month (36% vs 49%; relative risk, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.50-1.05) and 3 months (56% vs 71%; relative risk, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.61-1.00).
Conclusion These findings demonstrate that, in the United States, peer counselors can significantly improve breastfeeding initiation rates and have an impact on breastfeeding rates at 1 and 3 months post partum.
From the Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs (Drs Chapman and Pérez-Escamilla); Hispanic Health Council, Hartford, Conn (Ms Damio); and Department of Women's Health, Hartford Hospital, Hartford (Ms Young).
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
 |
Breastfeeding Attitudes and Reported Problems in a National Sample of WIC Participants
McCann et al.
J Hum Lact 2007;23:314-324.
ABSTRACT
Breastfeeding: Promotion of a Low-tech Lifesaver
Merewood
NeoReviews 2007;8:e296-e300.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Evidence Based Breast-Feeding Promotion: The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative
Perez-Escamilla
J. Nutr. 2007;137:484-487.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
The Effect of Peer Counselors on Breastfeeding Rates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Merewood et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2006;160:681-685.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Randomized, Controlled Trial of a Prenatal and Postnatal Lactation Consultant Intervention on Duration and Intensity of Breastfeeding up to 12 Months
Bonuck et al.
Pediatrics 2005;116:1413-1426.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
What works in breastfeeding promotion?
Scott
The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 2005;125:203-204.
A Randomized Trial Assessing the Efficacy of Peer Counseling on Exclusive Breastfeeding in a Predominantly Latina Low-Income Community
Anderson et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2005;159:836-841.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Differential Response to Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Within a Low-Income, Predominantly Latina Population
Chapman et al.
J Hum Lact 2004;20:389-396.
ABSTRACT
|