scholarly journals Effectiveness of WeChat for Improving Exclusive Breastfeeding in Huzhu County China: Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/23273 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. e23273
Author(s):  
Qiong Wu ◽  
Yiwen Huang ◽  
Zijun Liao ◽  
Michelle Helena van Velthoven ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
...  

Background The benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers have been well recognized. However, the exclusive breastfeeding rate in China is low and decreasing. Mobile technologies have rapidly developed; communication apps such as WeChat (one of the largest social networking platforms in China) are widely used and have the potential to conveniently improve health behaviors. Objective This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of using WeChat to improve breastfeeding practices. Methods This 2-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted among pregnant women from May 2019 to April 2020 in Huzhu County, Qinghai Province, China. Pregnant women were eligible to participate if they were aged 18 years or older, were 11 to 37 weeks pregnant with a singleton fetus, had no known illness that could limit breastfeeding after childbirth, used WeChat through their smartphone, and had access to the internet. A total of 344 pregnant women were recruited at baseline, with 170 in the intervention group and 174 in the control group. Women in the intervention group received breastfeeding knowledge and promotion information weekly through a WeChat official account from their third month of pregnancy to 6 months postpartum. The primary outcome of exclusive and predominant breastfeeding rate was measured 0-1 month, 2-3 months, and 4-5 months postpartum. Results At 0-1 month postpartum, the exclusive breastfeeding rate was significantly higher in the intervention group than that in the control group (81.1% vs 63.3%; odds ratio [OR] 2.75, 95% CI 1.58-4.78; P<.001). Similarly, mothers in the intervention group were more likely to provide predominantly breast milk (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.55-4.96; P<.001) and less likely to give dairy products to their children (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21-0.75; P=.005). There was no statistically significant difference for exclusive breastfeeding rate 2-3 months (P=.09) and 4-5 months postpartum (P=.27), though more children in the intervention group were exclusively breastfed than those in the control group 2-3 months postpartum (intervention: 111/152, 73.0%; control: 96/152, 63.2%) and 4-5 months postpartum(intervention: 50/108, 46.3%; control: 46/109, 42.2%). Conclusions This study is the first effort to promote exclusive breastfeeding through WeChat in China, which proved to be an effective method of promoting exclusive breastfeeding in early life. WeChat health education can be used in addition to local breastfeeding promotion programs. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800017364; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=29325 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1186/s12889-019-7676-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiong Wu ◽  
Yiwen Huang ◽  
Zijun Liao ◽  
Michelle Helena van Velthoven ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers have been well recognized. However, the exclusive breastfeeding rate in China is low and decreasing. Mobile technologies have rapidly developed; communication apps such as WeChat (one of the largest social networking platforms in China) are widely used and have the potential to conveniently improve health behaviors. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of using WeChat to improve breastfeeding practices. METHODS This 2-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted among pregnant women from May 2019 to April 2020 in Huzhu County, Qinghai Province, China. Pregnant women were eligible to participate if they were aged 18 years or older, were 11 to 37 weeks pregnant with a singleton fetus, had no known illness that could limit breastfeeding after childbirth, used WeChat through their smartphone, and had access to the internet. A total of 344 pregnant women were recruited at baseline, with 170 in the intervention group and 174 in the control group. Women in the intervention group received breastfeeding knowledge and promotion information weekly through a WeChat official account from their third month of pregnancy to 6 months postpartum. The primary outcome of exclusive and predominant breastfeeding rate was measured 0-1 month, 2-3 months, and 4-5 months postpartum. RESULTS At 0-1 month postpartum, the exclusive breastfeeding rate was significantly higher in the intervention group than that in the control group (81.1% vs 63.3%; odds ratio [OR] 2.75, 95% CI 1.58-4.78; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). Similarly, mothers in the intervention group were more likely to provide predominantly breast milk (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.55-4.96; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) and less likely to give dairy products to their children (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21-0.75; <i>P</i>=.005). There was no statistically significant difference for exclusive breastfeeding rate 2-3 months (<i>P</i>=.09) and 4-5 months postpartum (<i>P</i>=.27), though more children in the intervention group were exclusively breastfed than those in the control group 2-3 months postpartum (intervention: 111/152, 73.0%; control: 96/152, 63.2%) and 4-5 months postpartum(intervention: 50/108, 46.3%; control: 46/109, 42.2%). CONCLUSIONS This study is the first effort to promote exclusive breastfeeding through WeChat in China, which proved to be an effective method of promoting exclusive breastfeeding in early life. WeChat health education can be used in addition to local breastfeeding promotion programs. CLINICALTRIAL Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800017364; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=29325 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1186/s12889-019-7676-2


Author(s):  
Maryam Montazeri ◽  
Khalil Esmaeilpour ◽  
Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi ◽  
Sevda Golizadeh ◽  
Mojgan Mirghafourvand

Background: As one of the most enjoyable life experiences, pregnancy may be accompanied by many physiological and psychological changes that make women susceptible to developing mental disorders such as anxiety. Non-pharmacological methods such as writing therapy are among the ways to deal with anxiety. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effect of writing therapy on anxiety in women during pregnancy. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 70 pregnant women with a gestational age between 28 - 31 weeks. The participants were assigned to an intervention group and a control group using a randomized block design. The intervention group received three in-person writing therapy-based counseling sessions and two telephone calls between the sessions, while the control group received routine pregnancy care. The Beck anxiety inventory was completed before and six weeks after the intervention. Independent t-test and ANCOVA were used for data analysis. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of socio-demographic variables and baseline anxiety scores. Based on ANCOVA with baseline score adjustment, the mean score of anxiety was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group after the intervention (adjusted mean difference = -6.8; 95%CI = -4.5 to -9.1; P < 0.001). Conclusions: According to the results, writing therapy can reduce anxiety in pregnant women; however, further studies are needed before a definitive conclusion.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
yan chen ◽  
Li-Ping Meng ◽  
Jiao-Jiao Zhang ◽  
Hong-Hua Guo ◽  
hongyu zhang

Abstract Background Limited research outside China suggest that antenatal milk expression in late pregnancy (AME) may promote breastfeeding. A few studies have evaluated the safety and efficacy of AME in women with diabetes in pregnancy, little or no evidence exists to explore its effects on breastfeeding self-efficacy and early breastfeeding, particularly in first-time mothers. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of AME on breastfeeding for the first-time mothers during the postpartum hospitalization. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Haikou, Hainan. We recruited pregnant women who had completed 37 weeks of gestation and randomly assigned them to either the intervention group (n = 45) or the control group (n = 45). The pregnant women in the intervention group were advised to rhythmic self-massage of breasts three times daily at any time. The control group was given routine midwifery and obstetric care. The breastfeeding self-efficacy scale(BSES)was used to measure the self-efficacy of breastfeeding at 37 weeks, 38 weeks and the third day postpartum. The time to lactogenesis II and the rate of exclusive breastfeeding was measured three times every day by the researcher in the ward. Results Compared with the control group, the intervention group had higher breastfeeding self-efficacy scores measured by the scale of BSES(P < 0.05), the intervention group had higher exclusive breastfeeding rate on the first day, second day, third-day postpartum, and the difference was statistically significant༈P < 0.05). The time to lactogenesis II in the intervention group was earlier than that in the control group(P < 0.05). Conclusions Antenatal breast milk expression at term improved the confidence in the ability to breastfeed and produce milk postpartum, thus significantly improving the behavior of exclusive breastfeeding, and increasing the percentage of breastfed infants during their hospital stay, these infants were able to avoid infant formula milk in this important early period.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Samah Nasser Abd El-Aziz El-Shora ◽  
Amina Mohamed Rashad El-Nemer

Background and aim: Hypotension during cesarean section (CS) under spinal anesthesia has been a subject of scientific study for more than 50 years and the search for the most effective strategy to achieve hemodynamic stability remains challenging. Aim: The study was carried out to apply leg wrapping technique for the prevention of spinal-induced hypotension (SIH) during CS.Methods: Randomized Controlled Trial design was utilized at cesarean delivery operating room Mansoura General Hospital in El-Mansoura City during the period from May 2018 to November 2018. A purposive sample of 88 pregnant women, assigned randomly to an intervention group (n = 44) in which their legs wrapped with elastic crepe bandage and control group (n = 44) in which no wrapping was done. Data collected for maternal, neonatal hemodynamic and signs of hypotension, the feasibility of application and cost analysis.Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of SIH and Ephedrine use among both groups (18.20% in leg wrapping group whereas 75% in control group). In addition, neonatal acidosis and NICU admission were less among leg wrapping group (11.40%, 9.10% respectively). Economically, leg wrapping technique was cost effective compared to the cost of the hospital regimen for treating SIH and admission to (NICU).Conclusion and recommendations: Leg wrapping technique was cost effective and an efficient method for decreasing SIH, neonatal acidosis and Ephedrine administration. It is recommended to apply leg wrapping technique in maternal hospitals' protocol of care for decreasing SIH during CS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keivan Ranjbar ◽  
Mohsen Moghadami ◽  
Alireza Mirahmadizadeh ◽  
Mohammad Javad Fallahi ◽  
Vahid Khaloo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although almost a year has passed since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and promising reports of vaccines have been presented, we still have a long way until these measures are available for all. Furthermore, the most appropriate corticosteroid and dose in the treatment of COVID-19 have remained uncertain. We conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of methylprednisolone treatment versus dexamethasone for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods In this prospective triple-blinded randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 86 hospitalized COVID-19 patients from August to November 2020, in Shiraz, Iran. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either methylprednisolone (2 mg/kg/day; intervention group) or dexamethasone (6 mg/kg/day; control group). Data were assessed based on a 9-point WHO ordinal scale extending from uninfected (point 0) to death (point 8). Results There were no significant differences between the groups on admission. However, the intervention group demonstrated significantly better clinical status compared to the control group at day 5 (4.02 vs. 5.21, p = 0.002) and day 10 (2.90 vs. 4.71, p = 0.001) of admission. There was also a significant difference in the overall mean score between the intervention group and the control group, (3.909 vs. 4.873 respectively, p = 0.004). The mean length of hospital stay was 7.43 ± 3.64 and 10.52 ± 5.47 days in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p = 0.015). The need for a ventilator was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (18.2% vs 38.1% p = 0.040). Conclusion In hospitalized hypoxic COVID-19 patients, methylprednisolone demonstrated better results compared to dexamethasone. Trial registration The trial was registered with IRCT.IR (08/04/2020-No. IRCT20200204046369N1).


Author(s):  
Erdnaxela Fernandes do Carmo Souza ◽  
Alfredo Almeida Pina-Oliveira ◽  
Antonieta Keiko Kakuda Shimo

Objective: to assess the effect of a breastfeeding educational intervention on the counseling provided to postpartum women. Method: this is a randomized controlled trial including 104 postpartum women (intervention group = 52 and control group = 52) from a private hospital, whose educational intervention was based on the pragmatic theory and on the use of a soft-hard technology called Breastfeeding Educational Kit (Kit Educativo para Aleitamento Materno, KEAM). Women were followed-up for up to 60 days after childbirth. Chi-Squared Test, Fischer’s Exact Test, and Generalized Estimating Equation were used, with a significance level of 5% (p-value <0.05). The analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 24. Results: the postpartum women in the intervention group had fewer breastfeeding difficulties and a higher percentage of exclusive breastfeeding at all time points compared with those in the control group. Conclusion: the educational intervention based on active methodologies and stimulating instructional resources was effective in developing greater practical mastery among postpartum women with regard to adherence and maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding. Registry REBEC RBR – 8p9v7v.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mira Trisyani Koeryaman ◽  
Saseendran Pallikadavath ◽  
Isobel Ryder ◽  
Ngianga Kandala

Abstract Background: The pregnant women and family may not have the necessary knowledge and skills to estimate nutrient value in food in line with dietary targets and the guidelines, i.e. they do not know whether or not they are consuming the right amount of nutrition needed during pregnancy. The aims of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to examine the impact of SISFORNUTRIMIL application on maternal eating behaviour and associated maternal factors such as weight gain, blood pressure, biochemical measurement, and pregnancy outcome.Methods: The study recruits 112 participants with eligible criteria during December 2019 to January 2020. The allocation of participants is 1:1 to the SISFORNUTRIMIL application user and non-user application, with criteria: singleton pregnancy (22-26 weeks), mother age between 20-35 years), have monthly income and literate. Both groups will receive 12-week standard health services from health professionals and received information about dietary diversity and food record. Particularly, intervention group could be access the SISFORNUTRIMIL on their devices, which provide necessary information about nutrition in pregnancy, food record and food choice includes total serving size calculation. In contrast, the control group only receive food information and food intake record by paper-based, and they should record and calculate the nutrition intake by traditionally. Discussion: This is the first randomized controlled trial to examine the SISFORNUTIMIL application. This mandate reflects keen interest and motivation for the proposed research study. This is in addition to the researcher’s personal efforts to reduce morbidity and mortality rate as well as a general focus on pregnancy complication prevention than nutrition treatment. Thus, an investigation of eating behaviour and associated maternal needed to address this issue. Firstly, the results could extend the scope of knowledge about nutrition intervention to include the Indonesia pregnant women context as well as the Indonesia health ministry context. Secondly, this research could help to change individual health behaviour and activity undertaken by an individual who believes her-self to be healthy.Trial registration: ISRCTN Registry: ISRCTN42690828. Date of registration: 22 October 2019.


Author(s):  
Valentina Meta Srikartika ◽  
M. Rasyid Akbar ◽  
Herningtyas Nautika Lingga

ABSTRAKKeberhasilan pengobatan diabetes melitus tidak hanya dipengaruhi oleh kualitas pelayanan kesehatan, keterampilan petugasnya, sikap, dan pola hidup pasien, tetapi dipengaruhi juga oleh kepatuhan pasien terhadap pengobatannya. Tingkat kepatuhan minum obat pasien diabetes mellitus di Indonesia mayoritas masih berada dibawah 50%. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mengukur pengaruh edukasi melalui media booklet terhadap pengetahuan dan kepatuhan pasien diabetes melitus tipe 2. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). Populasi yang didapat dari penelitian ini sebanyak 40 orang dengan kelompok kontrol 20 orang dan kelompok intervensi 20 orang. Kelompok kontrol merupakan kelompok yang tidak mendapatkan booklet, sedangkan kelompok intervensi adalah kelompok yang mendapatkan booklet sebagi media edukasi. Pengetahuan dan kepatuhan responden diukur melalui kuesioner yang diberikan sebelum (pretest) dan 2 minggu kemudian (posttest). Rata-rata skor pengetahuan dan kepatuhan pre-test dibandingkan dengan skor post-test dengan menggunakan uji Wilcoxon. Berdasarkan hasil analisis, terjadi perbedaan tingkat pengetahuan dan kepatuhan yang signifikan (p value < 0,001) antara sebelum dan sesudah pemberian booklet pada kelompok intervensi dan tidak ada perbedaan yang signifikan pada tingkat pengetahuan (p value = 0,83) dan kepatuhan (p value = 0,317) pada kelompok kontrol. Oleh karena itu, dapat disimpulkan bahwa media booklet dapat meningkatkan tingkat pengetahuan dan kepatuhan pada pasien diabetes melitus.Kata-kata kunci: Diabetes melitus, pengetahuan, kepatuhan, bookletABSTRACTThe success of a treatment of diabetes mellitus is not only influenced by the quality of health services, the skills of its officers, attitudes, and lifestyle of patients, but it is also influenced by patient adherence to treatment. The level of medication compliance among diabetes patients in Indonesia were still below 50%. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of education through booklet media on the knowledge and compliance of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The type of research used was Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). The population obtained from this study were 40 people with a control group of 20 people and an intervention group of 20 people. The control group was the group that did not get the booklet, while the intervention group was the group that received the booklet as an educational medium. Knowledge and compliance of respondents was measured through questionnaires given before (pretest) and 2 weeks later (posttest). The average score of knowledge and adherence between pretest and posttest will be compared using Wilcoxon analysis. Based on the results of data analysis with the Wilcoxon test, there was a significant difference in the level of knowledge and compliance (p value < 0.001) between before and after booklet administration in the intervention group and no significant difference in knowledge level (p value = 0.83) and compliance (p value = 0.317) in the control group. It can be concluded that the booklet media can increase the level of knowledge and compliance in diabetes mellitus patients.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, knowledge, compliance, booklet


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 885-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Antoniotti ◽  
Laura Veronelli ◽  
Antonio Caronni ◽  
Alessia Monti ◽  
Evdoxia Aristidou ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of mirror therapy on upper-limb recovery in early post-stroke patients. Design: Assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation clinic. Subjects: A total of 40 patients with upper-limb impairment due to a first-ever ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, within four weeks from the cerebrovascular accident. Intervention: The intervention group received mirror therapy, while the control group received sham therapy. During mirror therapy, patients’ sound hand was reflected by a mirror. During sham therapy, an opaque surface replaced the mirror-reflecting surface. Both the mirror therapy and sham therapy groups practised their sound hand with exercises, ranging from the simple elbow flexion–extension to complex tasks (e.g. reaching and grasping). Mirror therapy and sham therapy were added to conventional rehabilitation. Main measures: Primary outcome includes Fugl–Meyer upper extremity scale. Secondary outcomes include action research arm test (ARAT) and functional independence measure (FIM) scale. Outcomes were measured at the beginning (T0) and end (T1) of the treatment. Results: At baseline, both groups (sham therapy vs. mirror therapy; mean (SD)) were comparable for Fugl–Meyer (30.9 (23.9) vs. 28.5 (21.8)), ARAT (25.1 (25.5) vs. 23.5 (24)) and FIM (71.0 (20.6) vs. 72.9 (17.8)) scores. At the end of the treatment, both groups significantly improved in the Fugl–Meyer (40.6 (21.3) vs. 38.3 (23.4)), ARAT (31.9 (23.0) vs. 30 (24.1)) and FIM (100.3 (21.9) vs. 99.4 (22.6)) scores. However, at T1, no significant difference was observed between the sham therapy and mirror therapy groups, neither for the Fugl–Meyer, nor for ARAT and FIM scores. Conclusion: Compared with sham therapy, mirror therapy did not add additional benefit to upper-limb recovery early after stroke.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sepideh Dinmohammadi ◽  
Mohsen Dadashi ◽  
Elahe Ahmadnia ◽  
Leila Janani ◽  
Roghieh Kharaghani

Abstract Background Domestic violence during pregnancy as one of the most common social problems and major challenges of health systems can affect the health of the mother and fetus. The study aimed to compare the two groups of intervention based on solution-focused counseling and control in terms of violence and quality of life amounts in women who had experienced domestic violence. Methods A randomized controlled trial on 90 pregnant women was blocked into two intervention groups (n = 45) and a control (n = 45). The intervention group received six counseling sessions with a solution-focused approach. Study tool included conflict tactics scale (CTS- 2) and short form health survey (SF-36). The tools were completed once before the intervention and again 6 weeks after the end of the counseling sessions by the participants of both groups. The P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 82/90 pregnant women were analyzed. The results showed that median and interquartile range (IQR) of physical, psychological and sexual violence significantly decreased in the intervention group than the control group (Ps = 0.001). Moreover, quality of life scores significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control group (P = 0.001). Conclusion Solution-focused counseling could be an effective approach to reduce the amount of violence and increase the quality of life in women exposed to domestic violence. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT2017040628352N4. Date of registration: August 20th 2017.


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