The process of establishing, implementing and maintaining a social support infant feeding programme

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Health Interventions
• Maternal and Child Health

Background:

• Social support interventions can positively impact infant feeding outcomes.
• Community-based programs require careful planning for volunteer engagement.
• Previous research highlights the need for effective volunteer recruitment and retention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the establishment and implementation of a social support infant feeding intervention.
• To outline the processes of recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers for a randomized controlled trial.
• To provide insights into practical considerations for community-based health interventions.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was designed to assess the effectiveness of a social support intervention.
• Volunteers were recruited through local newspaper advertisements and agency networking.
• A dedicated volunteer co-ordinator managed recruitment, training, and ongoing support.

Main Results:

• Networking with local agencies facilitated information gathering and contacts.
• Volunteer recruitment was most successful via local newspaper advertisements.
• Training improved volunteers' knowledge and confidence, but retention posed a challenge.
• Incentives such as childcare and travel expenses were crucial for volunteers.

Conclusions:

• Establishing and implementing a community-based social support infant feeding program is feasible.
• Effective volunteer management, including training and ongoing support, is critical for success.
• Practical insights gained can inform future community-based health intervention development.