Evaluation of a Comprehensive Loving Support Program Among State Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program Breast-Feeding Coordinators

Background: Mississippi was selected as a pilot state in the national breastfeeding promotion campaign titled Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work (LSMBW). To reinforce the national LSMBW project, the Mississippi Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Breastfeeding Promotion Project Team developed a comprehensive program that included patient and family education, staff training, public awareness activities, health professional outreach, and partnerships with the community. The program also implemented a breastfeeding-friendly clinic environment project and a videotape project. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of Mississippi\u27s LSMBW activities among WIC breastfeeding coordinators in the United States. Method: The cross-sectional study was performed with the use of a mailed, self-administered questionnaire. Results: Representatives of 50 state WIC agencies returned the survey. Of these 50 agencies, 36 (72%) had effectively used education materials created by the state of Mississippi. Breastfeeding coordinators reported that among the campaign activities, staff training, community outreach, and peer counseling were most beneficial. They also identified the videotape project developed by Mississippi as useful in addressing barriers to breastfeeding and in training support groups, staff, and health care professionals. Conclusion: This study showed that Mississippi\u27s outreach activities and motivational videotape had a positive impact on coordinators\u27 promotion of breastfeeding

Improving breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and practices of WIC clinic staff.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess the impact of a breastfeeding promotion clinic environment project implemented by the state of Mississippi on breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and practices of WIC clinic staff. METHODS: Thirteen pairs of matched intervention and comparison WIC clinics participated in the study. Clinical and administrative staff completed pre-test and post-test self-administered questionnaires in 1998 and 1999. RESULTS: A total of 397 staff members provided pre-test data, and 277 staff members provided post-test data. Before project implementation, the intervention and comparison groups were similar overall. The majority of staff had positive attitudes/beliefs about breastfeeding, but gaps in knowledge and practices were noted. Post-test data showed that the project improved knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, and confidence/practice of intervention clinic staff. CONCLUSIONS: Clinic environment projects, which combine physical improvements and staff training, are effective in promoting support for breastfeeding among public health clinic staff. Similar interventions may contribute to the overall effectiveness of breastfeeding promotion programs

The Loving Support Breastfeeding Campaign: Awareness and Practices of Health Care Providers in Mississippi

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of the national breastfeeding promotion campaign, Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work, on health care providers in Mississippi. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: The Mississippi WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program implemented the national Loving Support project for the state. Questionnaires were mailed to all hospitals with obstetric services and WIC clinics and to a random sample of one half of the practicing pediatricians and one third of the practicing family physicians in the state. Participants: Two hundred and two health care providers, including 104 nurses and 98 physicians, responded to the questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures: Health care providers\u27 (a) awareness of the breastfeeding promotion activities in the state; (6) changes in practice in providing breastfeeding advice and referrals to lactation specialists and for breast pumps; and (c) changes in the management of breastfeeding-related problems. Results: A significantly higher proportion of nurses than physicians mentioned breastfeeding benefits to mothers, provided breastfeeding management advice, and referred mothers for breast pumps and to lactation specialists after the campaign. Conclusions: This study showed the positive impact of the campaign on nurses\u27 breastfeeding awareness and practices. More efforts are needed to continue breastfeeding outreach activities for health care providers