Development of a breastfeeding supportive mobile application: Examining the effect of the application on breastfeeding selfefficacy and outcomes in primiparous

Aim: The study, it was planned to develop a breastfeeding supportive mobile application based on Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Theory and to determine the effect of this application on the breastfeeding self-efficacy and results of primiparous. Method: The study was conducted in two phases, development of a breastfeeding supportive mobile application and pretest-posttest randomized controlled design. It was conducted between September 2022 and August 2023 in 4 family health centers in Eskisehir province. The sample of the study consisted of 86 primiparous women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy (Intervention: 44, Control: 42). Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form, Breastfeeding Follow-up Form and Mobile Application Satisfaction Assessment Form. Data were analyzed using the SPSS package program. Results: The 2nd and 3rd follow-up breastfeeding self-efficacy scores of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group (t= 2.715; p= 0.008 and Z= -3.338; p= 0.001, respectively). It was determined that the 2nd and 3rd follow-up breastfeeding self-efficacy scores of the intervention group were significantly higher than the 1st follow-up (χ2= 31.710; p<0.001). The 3rd follow-up breastfeeding self-efficacy score of the control group was significantly higher than the 1st follow-up score (F= 4,093; p= 0,020). A significant difference was found between the 2nd and 3rd follow-up breastfeeding self-efficacy scores of the intervention and control groups, respectively (t= 2,715; p= 0.008, Z= -3.338; p= 0.0011). A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of breastfeeding maintenance and exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum (ꭓ2= 12.213; p< 0.001 and ꭓ2= 14.633;p= 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Breastfeeding supportive mobile application is an effective tool in increasing breastfeeding self-efficacy, early initiation of breastfeeding, increasing the rates of exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding continuation, especially in the 6th postpartum month, and decreasing the rates of breastfeeding problems. Key words: Breastfeeding, Support, mHealth, Mobile application