Healthcare provider's experiences of supporting breastfeeding: protocol for a systematic review of qualitative evidence

Jiaojiao Wu; Qingning Zhang; Loretta Yuet Foon Chung; Xinxin Wu; Ruoshui Jiao; Yundie Chen; Yanhong Wang

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056001

Healthcare provider's experiences of supporting breastfeeding: protocol for a systematic review of qualitative evidence

BMJ Open. 2022 Apr 8;12(4):e056001. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056001.

Authors

Jiaojiao Wu¹, Qingning Zhang², Loretta Yuet Foon Chung¹, Xinxin Wu³, Ruoshui Jiao⁴, Yundie Chen¹, Yanhong Wang⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
² School of Philosophy and Sociology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
³ Blood Transfusion Department, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
⁴ Center for Studies of Ethnic Groups in Northwest China, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
⁵ School of Nursing, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China yanhongwang@lzu.edu.cn.

Abstract

Introduction: Breastfeeding provides various health benefits to both mothers and infants. Despite the efforts that have been made, breastfeeding rates remain lower than recommended worldwide. Healthcare providers often fail to provide the support women need due to various reasons such as lack of time and competency, discontinuity of care and so on. Synthesis of the primary qualitative studies exploring healthcare providers' experience with supporting breastfeeding can provide greater insights into their perceived barriers and facilitators and further provide evidence for the implementation of interventions to improve breastfeeding services.

Methods and analysis: Qualitative studies exploring healthcare providers' experiences with breastfeeding services will be searched in the following databases: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine disc, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, Chinese Wanfang Data, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Open Grey collection. Studies reported in English or Chinese and conducted between January 1990 to July 2021 will be included. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research will be used to assess the methodological quality of included studies. The JBI standardised data extraction tools will be used to extract data. The JBI meta-aggregation method will be used to synthesise the data. The synthesised findings will be graded finally according to the ConQual approach to establish confidence. Two authors will independently screen and select the search output, extract data, assess methodological quality and cluster findings. Any disagreements that arise between the two reviewers will be adjudicated by a third reviewer to reach a consensus.

Ethics and dissemination: This review will use published data, so it will not require ethical approval. The findings of this systematic review will be disseminated via an international peer-reviewed journal publication and several scientific conference presentations.

Prospero registration number: CRD42021254542.

Keywords: Maternal medicine; OBSTETRICS; PERINATOLOGY.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Breast Feeding*
China
Female
Health Facilities
Health Personnel*
Humans
Qualitative Research
Systematic Reviews as Topic