Impact of attitude and knowledge on intention to breastfeed: Can mHealth based education influence decision to breastfeed exclusively?

BACKGROUND: Exclusive breastfeeding has been endorsed as the healthiest feeding choice for newborns. This study aims to assess impact of expecting mothers' knowledge and attitude toward intention to breastfeed exclusively. Utilizing mobile health (mHealth) as educational tool can offer a widely distributed and affordable platform to promote exclusive breastfeeding. RESEARCH AIMS AND QUESTIONS: This study aims to assess impact of expecting mothers' knowledge, attitude and beliefs on decision to breastfeed exclusively. Furthermore, it purposes mobile health (mHealth) as educational tool offering a widely distributed, affordable and accessible platform to promote exclusive breastfeeding. METHODS: The study was conducted in prenatal clinics' waiting areas to interview expecting mothers utilizing a translated version of Infant Feeding Practices Survey II (IFPS II, CDC). After completing the survey, an educational video was shown utilizing a tablet and the question was re-asked about intention toward breastfeeding exclusively. RESULTS: Most expecting mothers indicated having some awareness about breastfeeding (67%) but only 46.1% intended to initiate exclusive breastfeeding early in life prior to the intervention. Moreover, only 53.7% believed breastfeeding is the best nutritional choice. Actually, 39.5% of participants considered breastfeeding equal to formula. Most working mothers complained of lack of workplace support to breastfeed. Also, they were not comfortable breastfeeding in front of others except spouse. Additionally, most participants found nurses and media as poor information resources. Resources utilizing social media and Internet were found useful. After watching the educational video, the majority expressed positive intention to breastfeed exclusively (80.8%). Positive intentions were associated with advance maternal age, prior breastfeeding knowledge and willingness to hear experts' opinions. CONCLUSION: Saudi women have limited knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding and early initiation. They feel unprepared, unsupported, lack resources and socially challenged. An educational material utilizing mHealth can alter intentions to breastfeed exclusively.

Obesity is significantly associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors in 2- to 9-year-olds.

The objective of this analysis was to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in ethnically diverse young children. A retrospective medical chart review identified overweight/obese 2- to 9-year-old children (N=147) from a local pediatric clinic who were matched (for age, sex, and ethnicity) with normal weight patients from the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N=294). Comparisons of mean systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, total, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were conducted. Results showed that compared with the population-based normal-weight sample, the local overweight/obese sample was significantly more likely to have diastolic prehypertension (15% vs. 75%, P<.0001), systolic prehypertension (10% vs. 43%, P<.0001), and the lowest quintile of HDL cholesterol (19% vs. 34%, P=.003). At this young age, excess weight is significantly associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors. These results suggest that overweight/obese children in this age group should be monitored closely to prevent potential chronic disease risk.