Natsuko K Wood1, Nancy F Woods. 1. Natsuko K. Wood is an Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Washington State University, Spokane, WA. The author can be reached via e-mail at natsuko.wood@wsu.edu Nancy F. Woods is a Professor Emerita, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, Seattle, WA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review was to examine outcome measures used in interventions focusing on enhancement of breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity. METHODS: A literature search guided by search terms on outcome measures of breastfeeding interventions was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL Plus, & PsycINFO databases on publications between 2006 and 2017. RESULTS: Nine studies were included in this review, using PRISMA guidelines. Rates of breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity were measured during specific points in time. Data collection methods involve interviews, self-report, observations, and/or feeding logs. Although breastfeeding types (exclusive breastfeeding, predominant breastfeeding, and complementary breastfeeding) were measured, methods of infant feeding (breastfeeding and bottle feeding) were rarely assessed, ignoring significant mediators or moderators of breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: There were methodological limitations to the reviewed studies: (1) a 24-hour recall bias, (2) misclassification of breastfeeding categories, (3) lack of consistency in breastfeeding definitions, and (4) few reports of the reason for breastfeeding discontinuation. Future studies should focus on the modifiable cause of the problem: outcome measures attributed to the targets of the intervention, followed by breastfeeding initiation, duration, and/or exclusivity.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review was to examine outcome measures used in interventions focusing on enhancement of breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity. METHODS: A literature search guided by search terms on outcome measures of breastfeeding interventions was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL Plus, & PsycINFO databases on publications between 2006 and 2017. RESULTS: Nine studies were included in this review, using PRISMA guidelines. Rates of breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity were measured during specific points in time. Data collection methods involve interviews, self-report, observations, and/or feeding logs. Although breastfeeding types (exclusive breastfeeding, predominant breastfeeding, and complementary breastfeeding) were measured, methods of infant feeding (breastfeeding and bottle feeding) were rarely assessed, ignoring significant mediators or moderators of breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: There were methodological limitations to the reviewed studies: (1) a 24-hour recall bias, (2) misclassification of breastfeeding categories, (3) lack of consistency in breastfeeding definitions, and (4) few reports of the reason for breastfeeding discontinuation. Future studies should focus on the modifiable cause of the problem: outcome measures attributed to the targets of the intervention, followed by breastfeeding initiation, duration, and/or exclusivity.
Authors: Natsuko K Wood; Nancy F Woods; Susan T Blackburn; Elizabeth A Sanders Journal: MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs Date: 2016 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 1.412