RESUMEN
The prevalence of distraction among breastfeeding mothers is on the rise, primarily attributed to the escalating use of media technologies. This study aimed to assess the influence of family-oriented counselling on the continuity of breastfeeding in mothers experiencing distractions. This randomized controlled trial included 120 eligible lactating mothers who accessed postpartum services at comprehensive health centers in Zanjan, a city in northwest Iran from August 21, 2022 to May 10, 2023. Participants were assigned to two groups through block randomization with a block size of four. The intervention group received Family-Oriented Counselling in three sessions at weekly intervals, and the control group received standard postpartum care. The study measured outcomes using the Maternal Distraction Questionnaire and breastfeeding patterns before, monthly, and up to 4 months after counselling. Data analysis employed statistical methods, including the Chi-square test, independent t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, and the Kaplan-Meier method, with a significance level set at P < 0.05. The results showed that the continuation of exclusive breastfeeding was 33 (55 %) in the intervention group and 21 (35 %) in the control group. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.001). The reduction in distraction scores over time was more pronounced in the intervention group compared to the control group. The between-group effect was found to be statistically significant with an eta effect size of 0.73 (p = 0.001). In conclusion, the study suggests that the implementation of a family-centered intervention was effective in promoting the continuation of breastfeeding and reducing maternal distractions both during breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding activities. This approach proves to be a valuable step in enhancing the health of both mother and child. The findings underscore the importance of considering such interventions in health policymaking.
RESUMEN
Background: In modern world, the pervasive use of media technologies has seen a significant increase across various domains. The study aimed to assess the level of distraction among lactating women during feeding and infant care, along with exploring associated factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 120 lactating mothers who visited comprehensive health centers in Zanjan City in 2023. The inclusion criteria were lactating mothers older than 18 years, who were within 42 days postpartum. A multistage sampling method was used for participant selection. Data were gathered using a standard maternal distraction questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test with a confidence level of 95%. Results: The study found that smartphone use (69.7%) was the most common source of distraction for mothers during breastfeeding, while reading books (17.5%) was the least distracting. In addition, 85% of mothers watched television while caring for their babies (except during breastfeeding), and a significant percentage used landline phones (92.5%) and mobile phones (79.2%). It was noted that older mothers tended to be less distracted during feeding or baby care compared with young mothers. Furthermore, maternal attention during baby feeding increased with higher education levels and having more children (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study concludes that young mothers with lower levels of education experience significantly high levels of distraction while caring for their babies or breastfeeding. Given the substantial availability of media products, interventions are needed to raise mothers' awareness about the importance of maintaining eye contact with their babies and implementing strategies for managing distractions.