Promoting Sustained Breastfeeding of Infants at Risk for Asthma: Explaining the "Active Ingredients" of an Effective Program Using Intervention Mapping

Ilse Mesters*, Barbara Gijsbers, L. Kay Bartholomew

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Infants whose parents and/or siblings have a history of asthma or allergy may profit from receiving exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life. This is expected to diminish the chance of developing childhood asthma and/or atopic disease. Ongoing breastfeeding for 6 months seems challenging for many women. An educational program was developed using Intervention Mapping as a logic model to guide development and was found successful in improving breastfeeding rates at 6 months postpartum, improving knowledge and beliefs about breastfeeding for 6 months, after exposure to the program compared to controls. Intervention elements included an evidence-and theory-based booklet addressed during pre- and postnatal home visits by trained assistants. This paper elucidates the inner workings of the program by systematically describing and illustrating the steps for intervention development.
Original languageEnglish
Article number87
Number of pages10
JournalFrontiers in Public Health
Volume6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Mar 2018

Keywords

  • breastfeeding
  • educational program
  • asthma
  • Intervention Mapping
  • program theory
  • RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL
  • ALLERGIC DISEASE
  • EDUCATION
  • DURATION
  • CHILDREN
  • PARTNER
  • SUPPORT
  • IMPACT

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