Online Program

278697
Assessment of women, infant and children (WIC) peer counselor contact with first time breastfeeding mothers


Sunday, November 3, 2013

Lisa Campbell, DNP, RN, APHN-BC, Population Health Consultants, Victoria, TX
Jim Wan, PhD, Department of Preventive Medicine, 3University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
Patricia M. Speck, DNSc, APN, FNP-BC, DF-IAFN, FAAFS, FAAN, Department of Advanced Practice and Doctoral Studies, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing, Memphis, TN
Margaret T. Hartig, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, Academic Affairs and Department of Advanced Practice and Doctoral Studies, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing, Memphis, TN
Background: Peer counselors utilized by Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant and Children (WIC) support vulnerable populations. Evidence demonstrates breastfeeding support improves confidence in lactating low-income mothers. Objective: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to determine if singleton mothers who have not previously breastfed, irrespective of previous birth status, and had WIC peer counselor contact are more likely to initiate breastfeeding as compared to those mothers not exposed to the WIC peer counselor contact. Methods: The authors conducted secondary data analysis of the 2009 Texas Department of State Health Services WIC Infant Feeding Practices Survey (N=5,427) administered through 73 local WIC agencies. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the 3,542 first time breastfeeding mothers that met the study criteria and had peer counselor contact “during pregnancy,” “in the hospital,” and “after delivery”. Results: Women who had peer counselor contact during pregnancy, in the hospital, and after delivery were more likely to initiate breastfeeding, OR =1.37, 2.20, 1.74 respectively. Conclusion: The study found a woman's decision to initiate breastfeeding is significantly associated with WIC peer-counselor contacts. Continued WIC peer counselor program evaluation may aid to increase breastfeeding initiation rates among WIC participants.

Learning Areas:

Epidemiology
Other professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related nursing
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe the association between WIC peer counselor contact and breastfeeding initiation in first time breastfeeding mothers. Explain how data can be presented to policy makers to influence breastfeeding policy.

Keyword(s): Breastfeeding, Peer Counselors

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the lead investigator for this project and have conducted background research. Additionally I worked with stakeholders at the state health department and at Texas WIC. Finally I have had a 20 year history of advocacy can assist in translating our data for policy makers for program assurance.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.