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277671
Initiative to increase breastfeeding rates in Kansas communities: Program goals and objectives
Method: Qualitative data was collected from local health departments (n = 18) in the spring of 2011 and 2012. Structured, open-ended questions were asked through telephone interviews with one or two representatives from each health department. Each interview lasted approximately 30 to 45 minutes. This study examined: (1) how well program goals and objectives were met, (2) progress toward achieving the grant's purpose, (3) problems encountered, and (4) evaluation measures to determine program effectiveness.
Results: Findings indicate most health departments were meeting their goals and objectives. Themes identified through the interview process were categorized based on program strength, recommendations, and sustainability. Most departments reported adequate resources as their program's strength and identified the purchase/rental of breast pumps, breastfeeding resource bags, and educational materials as the best use of their funds. The majority of departments recommended a survey instrument measuring program impact and most desired continued funding to maintain program sustainability. A few departments encountered problems with employee turnover.
Conclusion: From a public health perspective, it is important that infants receive breast milk for the first six months of life. Results of this process evaluation are used to enhance and sustain delivery of breastfeeding programs in Kansas communities.
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Describe how program evaluation can be used to influence delivery of a breastfeeding intervention and positively influence breastfeeding rates in Kansas communities.
Identify program strengths, recommendations, and sustainability.
Describe how study participants met the goals and objectives of their breastfeeding grant.
Keywords: Breastfeeding, Evaluation
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I have evaluated interventions in public health including youth character development programs, quality improvement programs, and state-wide breastfeeding programs. I am also a faculty member in the Master’s of Public Health degree program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita.
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.