Effects of Postpartum Web-Based Breastmilk and Breastfeeding Education: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the effect of web-based breastfeeding education applied to postpartum primiparous women on breastmilk, breastfeeding knowledge and self-efficacy. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with 73 participants (experimental group=37; control group=36) at the Zeynep Kamil Gynecology and Pediatrics Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul, Turkiye. The study was at postpartum services between June 2018 and October 2019. The participants in the experimental group attended the internet-based breastmilk and breastfeeding education program; where as those in the control group received routine care. Data were collected pre and post training using the demographic information form, Breastmilk and Breastfeeding Knowledge Test and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale. Results: Our result showed that there was no significant difference found between the experimental and control groups on post-training on Breastmilk and Breastfeeding Knowledge Test (p>.05). On the other hand, there was significant difference between the experimental and control groups on post-training on Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (p<.05). Conclusion: The data obtained showed that web-based breastmilk and breastfeeding education increased breastfeeding and breastmilk knowledge in the experimental group, however this increase was not at a level that would make a difference between the groups. But it had a positive effect on breastfeeding self-efficacy. In nursing practices, web-based breastmilk and breastfeeding education can be used to increase breastfeeding self-efficacy in women in the postpartum period.