The effect of online breastfeeding education on breastfeeding motivation

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of online breastfeeding education on breastfeeding motivation. A single-blind, prospective, randomized controlled trial with pre-test-post-test control group design was used. The data were collected between February and November 2022 in Pamukkale University Hospital pregnant outpatient clinic, obstetrics and gynecology service, and online via social media. A Personal Information Form and the Primipar Breastfeeding Motivation Scale were used to collect data. The research was completed with a total of 50 women, including 25 in the experimental group and 25 in the control group. The simple random sampling method was used to form the groups. The data were analyzed on the SPSS 24 software package. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the data. After the education given to the experimental group, the mean scores on the total intrinsic motivation and identified regulation and external regulation-additional benefits sub-dimensions increased significantly (Z=-2.185, p<.05). The mean scores of the experimental and control groups on the total posttest were compared, and a statistically significant difference was found (p<.05). It was determined that the post-training mean scores of the experimental group on the integrated motivation (U=284, p=.041), intrinsic motivation, and identified regulation (U=196, p=.023) sub-dimensions increased significantly compared to the scores of the control group. In conclusion, the online breastfeeding education applied in the postpartum period increases the integrated motivation, intrinsic motivation and identified regulation.