Evaluation of breastfeeding peer support in a rural area – What works for young, disadvantaged women and their babies?

Dowling, Sally

Abstract

Topic addressed: Community-oriented breastfeeding intervention/actions, research and evaluation approaches
Type of presentation: 15 minute oral presentation
Title of presentation: Evaluation of breastfeeding peer support in a rural area – what works for young, disadvantaged women and their babies?

Abstract:

Background/purpose
Peer support has been shown to be an effective way of supporting women to breastfeed. In the UK local health organisations are encouraged by the Department of Health to commission peer support projects. This presentation reports and reflects on the evaluation of peer support for breastfeeding in rural Wiltshire, UK. Breastfeeding initiation rates in Wiltshire are in line with national averages but continuation rates are lower. Of particular concern to the local public health department were low breastfeeding rates among young women and in the most disadvantaged communities.
Peer support groups take place in local Children’s Centres, supported by two Peer Support Coordinators. Peer supporters are recruited from the local community and undergo a training course followed by a period of supervision. A new initiative was introduced in 2012 whereby women were contacted ante- and post-natally to introduce them to their local peer support group. The purpose of this work was to evaluate peer support in the three most deprived areas of the county and to ascertain whether the new initiative was likely to improve breastfeeding rates in identified groups and communities.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews with stakeholders and breastfeeding mothers were carried out in the three identified communities and focus groups held with peer supporters. Thematic analysis was carried out on the qualitative data. Quantitative contextual data was provided by the Public Health department (initiation rates, rates at 6-8 weeks, ‘drop-off’ and a range of demographic and geographical data).
Findings
Final findings are due February 2013. Initial findings suggest that peer support groups work well for some, but not all women. In some areas those identified as most in need of support are not attending groups. Problems include identifying peer supporters from within communities with very low background rates of breastfeeding, perceptions of the role of Children’s Centres and the identification of support groups as ’middle class’.
Discussion/implications
The advantages of peer support for breastfeeding will be discussed. Challenges will be identified, particularly in relation to reaching young and disadvantaged women. Although UK-focused it is hoped that this work will also have relevance to a wider audience.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: 8th Breastfeeding and Feminism Symposium
• Start Date: Mar 21, 2013
• End Date: Mar 21, 2013
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: breastfeeding, peer support, rural areas, young women, disadvantaged women, babies
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/933579
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : 8th Breastfeeding and Feminism Symposium, March 2013