Increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration at a community level: an evaluation of Sagkeeng First Nation's community health nurse and peer counselor programs

J Hum Lact. 2002 Aug;18(3):236-46. doi: 10.1177/089033440201800305.

Abstract

The effectiveness of two Sagkeeng First Nation breastfeeding initiatives--prenatal instruction by a community health nurse and a postpartum peer counselor (PC) program for breastfeeding women--was evaluated at a community level through chart audits (1992 to 1997, n = 283). Breastfeeding initiation rates increased from 38% in 1995 to 60% in 1997 (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.1, P = .01, adjusted for birth weight and parity). PC clients were half as likely to wean (RR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.25-0.98, P = .04, adjusted for birth weight and parity), with 61% still breastfeeding at 2 months (vs 48% nonclients) and 56% at 6 months (vs 19%). PC clients had fewer problems (median 1 vs 2, P = .044) and greater satisfaction with breastfeeding (median 5 vs 4, P = .07). Qualitative interviews (n = 22) confirmed PC clients as more satisfied and more confident about breastfeeding, with fewer problems and more information.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Feeding / ethnology*
  • Breast Feeding / psychology
  • Breast Feeding / statistics & numerical data
  • Community Health Nursing / methods
  • Counseling*
  • Female
  • Health Promotion* / methods
  • Health Promotion* / standards
  • Humans
  • Indians, North American / psychology*
  • Indians, North American / statistics & numerical data
  • Logistic Models
  • Manitoba
  • Mothers
  • Nurses / psychology
  • Parity
  • Peer Group*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Program Evaluation
  • Social Support
  • Time Factors
  • Weaning