Dads as breastfeeding advocates: Results from a randomized controlled trial of an educational intervention
31 mars 2007, 13:20 | Ajouté par : Gaëlle, dans Articles-In-english
Dads as breastfeeding advocates: Results from a randomized controlled trial of an educational intervention
Adam J. Wolfberg MD, MPH, Karin B. Michels ScD, MSc, MPH, Wendy Shields MPH, Patricia O’Campo PhD, Yvonne Bronner DrPH and Jessica Bienstock MD, MPH
Received 7 December 2003; revised 9 March 2004; accepted 7 May 2004. Available online 30 September 2004.
Objective
Recognizing that an expectant father may influence a mother’s decision to breast- or formula-feed, we tested the effectiveness of a simple, educational intervention that was designed to encourage fathers to advocate for breastfeeding and to assist his partner if she chooses to breastfeed.
Study design
We conducted a randomized controlled trial in which expectant fathers (n = 59) were assigned randomly to attend either a 2-hour intervention class on infant care and breastfeeding promotion (intervention) or a class on infant care only (control group). The classes, which were led by a peer-educator, were interactive and informal and utilized different media to create an accessible environment for participants. Couples were recruited during the second trimester from a university obstetrics practice.
Results
Overall, breastfeeding was initiated by 74% of women whose partners attended the intervention class, as compared with 41% of women whose partners attended the control class (P = .02).
Conclusion
Expectant fathers can be influential advocates for breastfeeding, playing a critical role in encouraging a woman to breastfeed her newborn infant.
Key words: Breastfeeding; Fathers
_Supported by a training grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, coordinated by the Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine.
Reprint requests: Adam Wolfberg, MD, MPH, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115.
See article : http://www.sciencedirect.com
