45: Impact of a novel smartphone application on low-income women’s breastfeeding rates: a randomized controlled trial

Remote provision of breastfeeding support and education: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Interactive text messaging alone was used in four studies (Demirci et al, 2019; Efrat et al, 2015; Lucas et al, 2019; Martinez‐Brockman et al, 2018; Palacios et al, 2018; Unger et al, 2018) and with hyperlinks to an educational module in one study (Lucas et al, 2019). A phone App was used in four studies (Ahmed et al, 2016; Hagi‐Pedersen et al, 2017; Lewkowitz et al, 2020; Uscher‐Pines et al, 2019). Other interventions included: peer support via social media (e.g., Facebook) either in response to mothers concerns (Niela‐Vilen et al, 2016), or structured by use of an educational booklet (Cavalcanti et al, 2019); video calls or Skype (Seguranyes et al, 2014); support via a website alone (Gonzalez‐Darias et al, 2020) or via a website combined with other interventions such as a workbook, and a DVD with telephone calls (Abbass‐Dick et al, 2015).…”

“…All interventions were provided after birth but in seven studies there was also an antenatal component (Demirci et al, 2019; Efrat et al, 2015; Kamau‐Mbuthia et al, 2013; Martinez‐Brockman et al, 2018; Patel et al, 2018; Reeder et al, 2014; Unger et al, 2018). The frequency of interventions was variable with nine being open access and/or whenever needed by the mother (Ahmed et al, 2016; Gonzalez‐Darias et al, 2020; Kamau‐Mbuthia et al, 2013; Lewkowitz et al, 2020; Maslowsky et al, 2016; Niela‐Vilen et al, 2016; Seguranyes et al, 2014; Simonetti et al, 2012; Uscher‐Pines et al, 2019). In seven studies interventions were provided weekly (Abbass‐Dick et al, 2015; Cavalcanti et al, 2019; Forster et al, 2019; Fu et al, 2014; Palacios et al, 2018; Reeder et al, 2014; Unger et al, 2018) and six were every 1–2 days (Demirci et al, 2019; Ericson et al, 2018; Hagi‐Pedersen et al, 2017; Hoddinott et al, 2012; Lucas et al, 2019; Patel et al, 2018).…”

“…However, most studies recruited women without medical conditions who gave birth to healthy term infants, with no congenital abnormalities. The mean age of mothers included in 14 trials was in the 20-30 years age range (Cavalcanti et al, 2019;Efrat et al, 2015;Gonzalez-Darias et al, 2020;Hoddinott et al, 2012;Howell et al, 2014;Martinez-Brockman et al, 2018;Maslowsky et al, 2016;Niela-Vilen et al, 2016;Palacios et al, 2018;Patel et al, 2018;Reeder et al, 2014 Forster et al, 2019;Fu et al, 2014;Gonzalez-Darias et al, 2020;Lewkowitz et al, 2020;Simonetti et al, 2012). Where mode of birth was reported women were not excluded if they had a Caesarean birth; mode of birth was not reported in 11 studies.…”

“…In 11 studies interventions were provided by health care professionals, either nurses or midwives with or without specialist training (Cavalcanti et al, 2019;Ericson et al, 2018;Hagi-Pedersen et al, 2017;Hoddinott et al, 2012;Lucas et al, 2019;Maslowsky et al, 2016;Palacios et al, 2018;Patel et al, 2018;Seguranyes et al, 2014;Simonetti et al, 2012;Unger et al, 2018) and in one study by social workers (Howell et al, 2014). In eight studies interventions were provided by lactation consultants, although it was not always clear what specialist training had been completed (Abbass-Dick et al, 2015;Ahmed et al, 2016;Carlsen et al, 2013;Demirci et al, 2019;Fu et al, 2014;Lewkowitz et al, 2020;Tahir & Al-Sadat, 2013;Uscher-Pines et al, 2019).…”

“…All interventions were provided after birth but in seven studies there was also an antenatal component (Demirci et al, 2019;Efrat et al, 2015;Kamau-Mbuthia et al, 2013;Martinez-Brockman et al, 2018;Patel et al, 2018;Reeder et al, 2014;Unger et al, 2018). The frequency of interventions was variable with nine being open access and/or whenever needed by the mother (Ahmed et al, 2016;Gonzalez-Darias et al, 2020;Kamau-Mbuthia et al, 2013;Lewkowitz et al, 2020;Maslowsky et al, 2016;Niela-Vilen et al, 2016;Seguranyes et al, 2014;Simonetti et al, 2012;Uscher-Pines et al, 2019). In seven studies interventions…”