Can early postpartum home visits by trained community health workers improve breastfeeding of newborns?
J Perinatol 2008;
28:632-40. [PMID:
18596714 PMCID:
PMC2929160 DOI:
10.1038/jp.2008.64]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2007] [Revised: 04/30/2008] [Accepted: 05/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Whether postpartum visits by trained community health workers (CHWs), reduce newborn breastfeeding problems.
METHOD
Community health workers made antenatal and postpartum home visits promoting newborn care practices including breastfeeding. CHWs assessed neonates for adequacy of breastfeeding and provided hands-on support to mothers to establish breastfeeding. History and observation data of 3495 neonates were analyzed to assess effects of CHW visitation on feeding problems.
RESULT
Inappropriate breastfeeding position and attachment were the predominant problems (12 to 15%). Only 6% of newborns who received home visit by CHWs within 3 days had feeding difficulties, compared to 34% of those who did not (odds ratio: 7.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.03 to 9.71, P=0.00). Latter group was 11.4 times (95% CI: 6.7 to 19.3, P=0.00) more likely to have feeding problems as late as days 6 to 7, than the former.
CONCLUSION
Counseling and hands-on support on breastfeeding techniques by trained workers within first 3 days of birth, should be part of community-based postpartum interventions.
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