Breastfeeding peer supporters and a community support group: evaluating their effectiveness
Jenny Ingram1, Jilly Rosser, Dawn Jackson
1Primary Care Research Facilitator, Research & Development Support Unit, United Bristol Healthcare Trust, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol BS2 8AW, UK. jillyrosser@gn.apc.org
Maternal & Child Nutrition
|August 3, 2006
Summary
Peer support initiatives effectively increase breastfeeding rates in low-prevalence communities. Training local women as peer supporters and establishing support groups led to higher breastfeeding continuation compared to wider area increases.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Community Health
- Maternal and Child Health
Background:
- Low breastfeeding prevalence is a challenge in communities with limited role models and a predominant bottle-feeding culture.
- Peer support is a strategy to improve breastfeeding rates, particularly in socioeconomically deprived areas.
- Evaluating community-based interventions is crucial for understanding their impact on public health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of a peer support initiative for breastfeeding mothers in a deprived area of South Bristol, UK.
- To explore the impact of training on local peer supporters.
- To evaluate the influence of peer support groups on breastfeeding prevalence and gather mothers' feedback.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative focus groups and pre/post-training questionnaires with 6 peer supporters.
- Quantitative questionnaires administered to 35 mothers attending the support group.
- Extraction of breastfeeding rates from routine data for the local area and wider Bristol population.
Main Results:
- Peer supporter training enhanced knowledge and confidence in supporting breastfeeding mothers.
- Attendance at the breastfeeding support group increased significantly, from 3 to 10 mothers per week.
- Breastfeeding rates at 8 weeks showed a significant 7% increase in the intervention area, surpassing the 3% increase in the wider Bristol area.
Conclusions:
- Peer support, combined with dedicated support groups, is an effective method for increasing breastfeeding prevalence in areas with low continuation rates.
- Community-based peer support initiatives can positively impact public health outcomes in socioeconomically deprived settings.
- Mothers valued consistent advice and a supportive environment for discussing breastfeeding challenges.
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