Evaluation of an interactive educational intervention to improve nutritional practices for premature infants

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Maternal and child health
• Behavioral science

Background:

• Parents of premature infants require specialized support for infant care and maternal well-being.
• Existing educational interventions may not fully address the complexities of behavior change in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Pebbles of Hope Thrive Guide, an interactive educational course, for parents of premature infants.
• To assess the impact of the course on breastfeeding practices, maternal nutrition, and Kangaroo Care adoption.

Main Methods:

• Pilot randomized trial involving 50 mothers divided into Supervised, Independent, and Control groups.
• Intervention group received the Thrive Guide; control group received standard education.
• Primary outcome: breast milk provision at 3 months; secondary outcomes: maternal confidence, nutrition behaviors, Kangaroo Care frequency.

Main Results:

• The Thrive Guide significantly improved maternal confidence and knowledge but did not impact breast milk provision or nutrition behaviors at 3 months.
• Breast milk provision declined across all groups without significant differences.
• Independent users showed a notable increase in Kangaroo Care frequency.

Conclusions:

• The educational intervention enhanced parental confidence but requires further refinement for long-term behavior change in breastfeeding and nutrition.
• Ongoing support and addressing practical barriers are crucial for optimizing intervention effectiveness.
• Future research should focus on strategies to sustain behavior change and improve caregiving practices for premature infants.