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The Effect of a Structured Individualized Educational Intervention on Breastfeeding Rates in Greek Women

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  • Theoni Truva

    (Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University Hospital of Larisa, 41334 Larisa, Greece)

  • George Valasoulis

    (Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University Hospital of Larisa, 41334 Larisa, Greece
    Hellenic National Public Health Organization—ECDC, 15123 Athens, Greece)

  • Abraham Pouliakis

    (Second Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, 12464 Athens, Greece)

  • Irontianta Gkorezi-Ntavela

    (Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University Hospital of Larisa, 41334 Larisa, Greece)

  • Dimitra Pappa

    (Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41334 Larissa, Greece)

  • Alexandra Bargiota

    (Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41334 Larissa, Greece)

  • Antonios Garas

    (Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University Hospital of Larisa, 41334 Larisa, Greece)

  • Ioanna Grivea

    (Department of Pediatrics, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, 41334 Larissa, Greece)

  • Alexandros Daponte

    (Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University Hospital of Larisa, 41334 Larisa, Greece)

Abstract

Breastfeeding rates remain extremely low in Greece and women with gestational diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism may experience additional difficulties. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a structured individualized lactation educational intervention by a midwife on increasing breastfeeding rates in women with endocrine disorders and low-risk women compared to women receiving standard care, 24 months after delivery. Two-hundred women made up the study population. Half of them were experiencing endocrine pregnancy disorders and 100 women constituted the low-risk pregnancy standard care control group. Women who were breastfeeding exclusively were significantly higher in the midwifery intervention group with endocrine disorders, namely breastfeeding continued at four months (breastfeeding: 20% vs. 12%, exclusive breastfeeding: 50% vs. 26%, p = 0.0228), and at six months after childbirth (breastfeeding: 54% vs. 28%, exclusive breastfeeding: 32% vs. 12%, p = 0.0011), compared to the standard care control group with endocrine disorder. The low-risk midwifery intervention group breastfed at four months (22% vs. 14%, p = 0.0428) and at six months (52% vs. 26%, p = 0.0018) at higher rates compared to the standard care control group. In addition, exclusive breastfeeding was significantly higher in the low-risk midwifery intervention group at four months (46% vs. 20%, p = 0.0102) and six months (38% vs. 4%, p < 0.0001) compared to the standard care control group. This study was the first attempt of a structured midwifery breastfeeding education in Greece and its major contribution reflects a significant positive impact on breastfeeding rates in terms of duration and exclusivity in women with gestational endocrine disorders as well as in low-risk women, and could possibly be applied and instituted in everyday clinical practice to increase the low breastfeeding rates in Greece.

Suggested Citation

  • Theoni Truva & George Valasoulis & Abraham Pouliakis & Irontianta Gkorezi-Ntavela & Dimitra Pappa & Alexandra Bargiota & Antonios Garas & Ioanna Grivea & Alexandros Daponte, 2021. "The Effect of a Structured Individualized Educational Intervention on Breastfeeding Rates in Greek Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11359-:d:667451
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Dagla & Irina Mrvoljak-Theodoropoulou & Marilena Vogiatzoglou & Anastasia Giamalidou & Eleni Tsolaridou & Marianna Mavrou & Calliope Dagla & Evangelia Antoniou, 2021. "Association between Breastfeeding Duration and Long-Term Midwifery-Led Support and Psychosocial Support: Outcomes from a Greek Non-Randomized Controlled Perinatal Health Intervention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.
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