Evaluation of the effects of simulation based breastfeeding training on women' breastfeeding success, breastfeeding self efficacy, breastfeeding attitude and knowledge

This study is a randomized controlled experimental study conducted to determine the effect of applied breastfeeding training given through Lactation Simulation Model (LSM) in antenatal period on the success of women in breastfeeding, their self-efficacy perception regarding breastfeeding and their attitude towards and knowledge of breastfeeding. The research was carried out with the participation of two groups. In this context, applied breastfeeding training with LSM was given to pregnant women in the intervention group (simulation training group, n=64) during antenatal period, and standard training-video training under the hospital protocol (video training group, n=64) was provided to pregnant women in the control group. Then, breastfeeding success, breastfeeding self efficacy, attitude and knowledge levels regarding breastfeeding were evaluated in the postnatal period. The data of the research were collected through Participant Description Questionnaire, LATCH Assessment Tool, Breastfeeding Attitude and Knowledge Questionnaire, Breastfeeding Self efficacy Scale and Postnatal Period Follow-up Questionnaire. In addition, LSM was employed in the implementation for the simulation training group. Research data were analyzed by using SPSS 23.0 statistics program. As a result of the analysis, a statistically highly significant difference was found between the training groups in terms of total score averages of postnatal first and second follow-up LATCH Assessment Tool (p<0,001). Following the training, a statistically highly significant difference was also determined between the training groups in terms of the total score obtained from Breastfeeding Self efficacy Scale and the scores regarding attitudes and knowledge about breastfeeding (p<0,001). As a result of the findings, it was determined that women who received simulation based breastfeeding training had higher success in breastfeeding both in the first and second follow-up compared to the women who received video training. Moreover, it was found that after the training, the women who received simulation based breastfeeding training had higher breastfeeding self efficacy perception, more positive attitudes towards breastfeeding and higher level of knowledge of breastfeeding in the postnatal period in comparison to the women who received video training.