Impact of an educational intervention on breastfeeding in adolescent mothers A quasi-experimental study.

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescent mothers' abandonment of breastfeeding is a complex problem with multiple interrelated causes that can be grouped into biological, psychosocial, and economic factors. This study aimed to identify the effect of an educational intervention on the knowledge of breastfeeding in adolescent mothers who attend a public reference hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Dr. Francisco de Icaza Bustamante Hospital in Guayaquil-Ecuador, from 2022 to 2023. Adolescent mothers were included. The variables were demographics, information on breastfeeding counseling in the prenatal period, and breastfeeding in the first hour of life. The pre-and post-intervention test was carried out on the benefits of breastfeeding, extraction and conservation of breast milk, breastfeeding complications, and the ideal time breastfeeding should be offered. The sample was probabilistic. Non-inferential and inferential statistics are used.

Results: 164 adolescents were admitted. The maternal age was 15.7 ± 1.74 years; most adolescents were mixed race in 62 cases (38%) and single civil status in 68 cases (41%). Incomplete primary and secondary schooling was in 86 cases (52%). The majority of cases (45%) were of urban origin. The prevalence of breastfeeding counseling in the prenatal period was 52 cases (31%) (95% CI 24.6%-38.8%). Breastfeeding given in the first hour of life of the newborn was 96 cases (59%) (95% CI 51% to 66.1%).

Conclusions: There is a general lack of knowledge about breastfeeding among adolescent mothers. 69% of mothers did not receive any prenatal counseling on breastfeeding.