A Randomized Controlled Trial of Knowledge Sharing Practice with Empowerment Strategies in Pregnant Women to Improve Exclusive Breastfeeding during the First Six Months Postpartum

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate whether a Knowledge Sharing Practices with Empowerment Strategic (KSPES) program on antenatal education and postnatal support strategies in experimental group improves the rates of 6 months exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months postpartum compared with Routine Standard Knowledge of Breastfeeding Techniques (RSKBT) in control group. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Pregnant women of more than 32 weeks’ gestation were randomly assigned to receive a routine standard knowledge of breastfeeding techniques alone (control group) or with KSPES on antenatal education and postnatal support strategies (experimental group). The primary outcome was proportion of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum. The secondary outcomes were proportion at 7 days, 14 days, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 months postpartum. The results indicated that proportion of exclusive breastfeeding in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group at 14 days (82.5% vs 52.6%, P<0.005), 1 month (77.5% vs 52.6%, P=0.021), 2 months (62.5% vs 36.8%, P=0.023), 4 months (35.0% vs 7.9%, P=0.008), 5 months (25.0% vs 2.6%, P=0.012) and 6 months postpartum (20.0% vs 0%, P=0.005). KSPES program on antenatal education and postnatal support strategies significantly improved rates of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum. These strategies also significantly improved rates of exclusive breastfeeding at 14 days, 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 months postpartum.