Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Jul 25, 2021
Date Accepted: Jan 17, 2022
Feasibility and acceptability of online WhatsApp support group by peer counsellors on breastfeeding: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Mobile health (mHealth), the use of mobile technology in delivering health care, have been found to be effective in changing health behaviors, including improving breastfeeding practices in postpartum women. With the widespread use of smartphones and instant messaging applications in Hong Kong, instant messaging groups could be a useful channel for delivering breastfeeding peer support. To study the feasibility and effectiveness of an online instant messaging peer support group by trained peer counsellors in improving breastfeeding outcome in primiparous women in Hong Kong.
Objective:
To study the feasibility and effectiveness of an online instant messaging peer support group by trained peer counsellors in improving breastfeeding outcome in primiparous women in Hong Kong.
Methods:
A two-armed, assessor-blind, randomized controlled feasibility study will be conducted on 40 primiparous women with intention to breastfeed. Participants are recruited from a public hospital in Hong Kong and randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to either intervention or control group. The intervention group receives peer support in an online instant messaging group with trained peer counsellors on top of standard care, whereas the control group receives only standard care. Breastfeeding outcome will be assessed for 6 months postpartum or until weaned. The breastfeeding status, the proportion and duration of exclusive and any breastfeeding in each group, and the self-efficacy and attitude of participants will be assessed. The feasibility and acceptability of the study would also be assessed in preparation for a full randomized controlled trial.
Results:
This study (protocol version 1 dated 5 January 2021) has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Hong Kong/ Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster (reference: UW 21-039) on 26 January 2021. Data collection is on-going and expected to be completed in December 2021. Findings will be updated on clinical trial registry and disseminated in peer-reviewed journals.
Conclusions:
This study aims to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of an online instant messaging peer support group in improving breastfeeding outcome of primiparous women in Hong Kong. Findings could provide inform the feasibility of a full-scale trial with this intervention design. Clinical Trial: The study protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04826796) on 1 April 2021.
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