Population-level communication interventions for breastfeeding: Protocol for a scoping review.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Communication

Background:

• Breastfeeding is the biological norm and crucial for lifelong health.
• Population-level communication interventions can foster supportive social and cultural norms for breastfeeding.
• Existing evidence needs systematic analysis to guide effective mass communication strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically identify and map the scope, types, and characteristics of population-level communication interventions on breastfeeding.
• To inform the development of effective mass communication interventions by synthesizing existing evidence.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review of empirical evidence and evidence synthesis on population-level communication interventions.
• Inclusion of studies from high Human Development Index countries, published in English from 1990 onwards.
• Searches of multiple databases (PubMed, Embase, etc.), citation searching, and grey literature searches.

Main Results:

• Data extraction will focus on study characteristics, target populations, message content and framing, conflicts of interest, and theoretical underpinnings.
• Screening and data extraction will utilize EPPI reviewer web (ER6) with automation support.
• Systematic identification and mapping of breastfeeding communication interventions will be achieved.

Conclusions:

• This review will provide a comprehensive overview of population-level breastfeeding communication interventions.
• The findings will inform the design and implementation of future evidence-based communication strategies.
• Synthesized evidence will support the enhancement of breastfeeding rates through mass communication efforts.