Effectiveness of a Digital Platform-Based Breastfeeding Education Intervention on Maternal Attitudes and Exclusive Breastfeeding Success: A Quasi-Experimental Study with Six-Month Follow-Up
Keywords:
Breastfeeding education, digital health intervention, exclusive breastfeeding, maternal attitudes, mobile health, quasi-experimental studyAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To test the effect of a digital platform-based breastfeeding educational intervention on maternal attitudes toward breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding success over a 6-month follow-up.
METHODOLOGY: This study used a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control-group, pretest-posttest design with a 6-month follow-up. A total of 140 pregnant women (28–40 weeks gestation, aged 18–45 years) were recruited consecutively and allocated to the intervention (digital platform-based breastfeeding education) and control (standard care) groups, based on the health facility. Breastfeeding attitudes were measured using the Breastfeeding Attitude Scale (32 items, Cronbach's ? = 0.89; CVI = 0.92). Secondary variables included exclusive breastfeeding success, breastfeeding duration, and breastfeeding barriers. Measurements were conducted at baseline, postpartum, and months 1, 3, and 6. Data analysis included Repeated-Measures ANOVA, logistic regression, Chi-square tests, and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Poltekkes Kemenkes Jambi, Jambi, Indonesia, approved this study (approval number: LB. 02.06/2/1015/2 /1015/2025).
RESULTS: The intervention group reported significantly higher attitude scores after the intervention (122.4±10.8 vs 72.1±8.2, p<0.001) and at the 6-month follow-up (120.6±11.4 vs 75.6±9.8, p<0.001). Exclusive breastfeeding at six months was significantly higher in the intervention group (70.0% vs 34.3%, RR=2.04, 95%CI:1.43-2.91, p<0.001). Higher platform engagement, positive attitudes, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and family support were all significant predictors of exclusive breastfeeding success.
CONCLUSION: Maternal attitudes and exclusive breastfeeding rates with digital platform-based breastfeeding education are significantly affected, indicative of a digital approach that is an efficient and scalable intervention mechanism of optimal infant feeding practice.
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