Lai Yin Cheng1, Xin Wang1, Phoenix Kit-Han Mo2,3. 1. School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. 2. School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. phoenix.mo@cuhk.edu.hk. 3. The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China. phoenix.mo@cuhk.edu.hk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Low breastfeeding rate and high early cessation of breastfeeding are observed worldwide. There is a need to review the effects of home visits with professional support on promoting breastfeeding. The present study evaluated the efficacy of home visits on promoting breastfeeding outcomes (i.e., breastfeeding initiation rate, exclusive breastfeeding rate/duration, and breastfeeding rate/duration) using a systematic review. METHODS: Search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, CENTRAL-Cochrane central register of controlled trials, PsycInfo, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted by February 28, 2019, to identify relevant studies. RESULTS: A total of 26 studies were included. Fourteen of the included studies investigated rate/duration of exclusive breastfeeding; ten of them demonstrated a significant increase on the rate/duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Sixteen of the included studies investigated rate/duration of breastfeeding; four of them demonstrated a significant increase on the rate/duration of breastfeeding. Four studies evaluated initiation of breastfeeding and three of them did not show a significant effect. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that breastfeeding can be increased by home-based interventions with professional support. Support-based intervention is likely an effective way to promote breastfeeding.
OBJECTIVES: Low breastfeeding rate and high early cessation of breastfeeding are observed worldwide. There is a need to review the effects of home visits with professional support on promoting breastfeeding. The present study evaluated the efficacy of home visits on promoting breastfeeding outcomes (i.e., breastfeeding initiation rate, exclusive breastfeeding rate/duration, and breastfeeding rate/duration) using a systematic review. METHODS: Search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, CENTRAL-Cochrane central register of controlled trials, PsycInfo, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted by February 28, 2019, to identify relevant studies. RESULTS: A total of 26 studies were included. Fourteen of the included studies investigated rate/duration of exclusive breastfeeding; ten of them demonstrated a significant increase on the rate/duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Sixteen of the included studies investigated rate/duration of breastfeeding; four of them demonstrated a significant increase on the rate/duration of breastfeeding. Four studies evaluated initiation of breastfeeding and three of them did not show a significant effect. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that breastfeeding can be increased by home-based interventions with professional support. Support-based intervention is likely an effective way to promote breastfeeding.
Keywords:
Breastfeeding; Home visits; Professional support; Systematic review
Authors: Rosemary J Blyth; Debra K Creedy; Cindy-Lee Dennis; Wendy Moyle; Jan Pratt; Susan M De Vries; Genevieve N Healy Journal: J Hum Lact Date: 2004-02 Impact factor: 2.219