A randomized controlled trial of knowledge sharing practice with empowerment strategies in pregnant women to improve exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months postpartum.

BACKGROUND Although there are many benefits to breastfeeding, its prevalence and duration in many countries is still lower than the international recommendation for 6-month exclusive breastfeeding. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether a knowledge sharing practices with empowerment strategies (KSPES) program on antenatal education and postnatal support strategies improves the rates of 6-month exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months postpartum compared with a standard knowledge of breastfeeding techniques. MATERIAL AND METHOD A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Pregnant women of more than 32 weeks' gestation were randomly assigned to receive a routine standard knowledge of breastfeeding techniques alone (control group) or with KSPES on antenatal education and postnatal support strategies (study group). The primary outcome was the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6-month postpartum. The secondary outcomes were rates at 7 days, 14 days, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 months postpartum. RESULTS Rates of exclusive breastfeeding in the study group were significantly higher when compared with those in the control group at 14 days (82.5% vs. 52.6%, p = 0.005), 1 month (77.5% vs. 52.6%, p = 0.021), 2 months (62.5% vs. 368%, p = 0.023), 4 months (35.0% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.008), 5 months (25.0% vs. 2.6%, p = 0.012), and 6 months postpartum (20.0% vs. 0%, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION KSPES on antenatal education and postnatal support strategies significantly improve rates of exclusive breastfeeding at 6-month postpartum. These strategies also significantly improve rates of exclusive breastfeeding at 14 days, 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 months postpartum.