J Korean Acad Nurs JKAN Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2005-3673 Korean Society of Nursing Science 10.4040/jkan.2009.39.2.279 Original Article Effects of a Breast-Feeding Empowerment Program on Exclusive Breast-Feeding Kim Yunmi Part-time Instructor, College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. Address reprint requests to: Kim, Yunmi. Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Seoul National University, 28 Yeongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea. Tel: 82-2-740-8465, Fax: 82-2-766-1852, shuregien@hanmail.net 04 2009 28 04 2009 39 2 279 287 19 01 2009 19 03 2009 Copyright © 2009 Korean Society of Nursing Science 2009 Purpose

The purpose of this study was to develop an antepartum-postpartum breast-feeding program titled "Breast-feeding Empowerment Program" and to measure the effects of this program on breast-feeding empowerment and the rate of exclusive breast-feeding.

 Methods

The study design was a nonequivalent control group design with repeated measures.

 Results

The scores for breast-feeding empowerment of the experimental group (EG) were higher than those of the control group (CG) at week 1, 4, 8, 12. The rates for exclusive breast-feeding of the experimental group were also higher than those of the control group: 86.4% in the EG and 40.9% in the CG at week 1; 100% vs 42.9% at week 4; 86.4% vs 38.1% at week 8; 95.5% vs 38.1% at week 12; 94.7% vs 31.6% at 6 months; 89.5% vs 26.3% at 12 months.

 Conclusion

The study provided evidence that raising consciousness and strengthening mother's will and skills for exclusive breast-feeding helps them to achieve successful breast-feeding by themselves. In addition mothers need to be empowered to breast-feed starting before delivery and continuing after delivery. This approach could make long-term exclusive breast-feeding successful.

 Breast-feeding

This study is a part of Ph.D. thesis.

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Research design.

Exp=experimental group; Cont=control group; pp=postpartum; GP=gestational period; d=days; wk=week(s); Tx=treatment; X1=breast-feeding empowerment program, antepartum session #1; X2=breast-feeding empowerment program, antepartum session #2; X3=visiting the mothers where they want (at home, hospital, postpartum care center) after delivery, pp session #3; X4=telephone counseling at postpartum 1 week, pp session #4; X5=telephone counseling at postpartum 4 weeks, pp session #5; X6=telephone counseling at postpartum 8 weeks, pp session #6; X7=telephone counseling at postpartum 12 weeks, pp session #7.

Breast-feeding Empowerment Program

Bf=breast-feeding; pp=postpartum; wk=week(s).

Homogeneity Test for General Characteristics and Other Affecting Factors of Breast-feeding

*Fisher's exact test.

Exp=experimental group; Cont=control group; PN=prenatal; Bf=breast-feeding.

Comparisons of Total & Subscale Scores of Breast-feeding Empowerment between Two Groups at Each Time Point

Bf=breast-feeding; wk=week(s)

Comparisons of Exclusive Breast-feeding between the Two Groups at Each Time Point

*Fisher's exact test.

Bf=breast-feeding; pp=postpartum; wk=week(s); m=months.