Breast FeedingNCT02501499
Breastfeeding Buddies: An Exploratory Evaluation Study
An observational study of Breast Feeding, run by Manulife Centre for Community Health Research.
Trial summary
This is an exploratory, qualitative evaluation study of the Breastfeeding Buddies (BFB) program. The Breastfeeding Buddies Program is a peer-based education and support program offered through the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 years and older, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Breast Feeding
- What is being tested?
- Breastfeeding Buddies
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Jul 2015to Mar 2016
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 16 years and older
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: Pregnant women will be recruited through the Me Breastfeed workshops. It is a self-selected community program that serves the Region of Waterloo (about 500,000 people and 6000 births a year). Workshops are offered twice monthly and have about 20 participants at each session. Mothers will be invited to participate in an interview 5-8 weeks past their indicated due date.
Who may be able to join
- participated in Breastfeeding Buddies programs
- live birth
- consented to contact
- biological mother
Who cannot join
- less than age 16
About this study
Official title: Breastfeeding Buddies: An Exploratory Evaluation Study of a Peer Support Program
This is an exploratory, qualitative evaluation study of the Breastfeeding Buddies (BFB) program. The Breastfeeding Buddies Program is a peer-based education and support program offered through the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre. The KDCHC has received funding to undertake a qualitative exploratory study of the BFB program. KDCHC has partnered with researchers at the Manulife Centre for Community Health Research at Wilfrid Laurier University to plan and implement this study.
The purpose of the evaluation study is to understand the perspectives and experiences of Breastfeeding Buddies (BFB) participants and volunteers. The evaluation will explore the process of implementation of the BFB education and support programs and assess the program impacts from the perspective of participants and volunteers. The methods in this study are qualitative because the BFB program has never collected qualitative data from program participants and volunteers. In the past, evaluation of the program has been limited to pre and post surveys. This qualitative study includes two components:
- Interviews 6-8 weeks after the participants due dates with consenting mothers who participated in the Me Breastfeed workshop - 10-12 mothers who were matched with a Buddy (optional for all workshop participants) will be interviewed and 10-12 mothers who did not seek a match (but did participate in the workshop) will be interviewed to explore what they learned, what was helpful and how the program can be improved.
- One focus group with 10-15 Breastfeeding Buddies volunteers to explore the experiences and perspectives of the BFB volunteers.
Read the detailed description
Breastfeeding has been demonstrated to offer numerous physical and emotional health benefits to infant and mother and is the recommended approach to infant feeding by all levels of health authorities. Canadian statistics reveal 89% of mothers initiate breastfeeding at birth but only 51% continue to do so when an infant has reached four months of age. Research has indicated that engaging informed, supportive peers and supportive communities may be effective methods to help mothers who wish to continue to breastfeed overcome common challenges.
This study seeks to explore the benefits and challenges in a Canadian peer support program. The study will assist the BFB to improve their programs and contribute to the growing body of research exploring breastfeeding interventions.This is an exploratory, qualitative evaluation study of the Breastfeeding Buddies (BFB) program.
BFB Program Description:
The Breastfeeding Buddies Program was initiated by breastfeeding mothers in the community and has been supporting breastfeeding families in Waterloo Region since 2003. Recognizing the value of mother-to-mother breastfeeding support, the aim of the Breastfeeding Buddies Program is to help increase the number of moms achieving success in breastfeeding through feeling connected and supported in their community. An informed decision making model is used and diversity is valued when supporting families. This peer based breastfeeding support is a partnership between the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre and Region of Waterloo Public Health and is available to all women in Waterloo Region.
Breastfeeding Buddies are matched with breastfeeding moms who have had similar experiences or may speak the same language and provide ongoing telephone support and share community resources. BFB's also regularly attend established community sites (e.g. Breastfeeding cafes at Early Years Centres) to provide support to moms on a drop-in basis. Initial contacts between BFBs and mothers are established prenatally when possible through the program coordinator, but may occur at any time in their breastfeeding experience. The program also offers a free 2 hour prenatal breastfeeding class called "Me? Breastfeed?" that is taught by BFBs. This practical workshop offers women and their partner's information on the first 7 days after birth, help with overcoming common challenges and community resources.
All Breastfeeding Buddy volunteers have successfully breastfed for at least 6 months (though many have breastfed for over one year), and are passionate about breastfeeding. They receive 20 hours of expert training with a nurse/lactation consultant and participate in monthly meetings to learn new skills.
The purpose of the evaluation study is to understand the perspectives and experiences of Breastfeeding Buddies (BFB) participants and volunteers.
The evaluation will explore the process of implementation of the BFB education and support programs and assess the program impacts from the perspective of participants and volunteers. The methods in this study are qualitative because the BFB program has never collected qualitative data from program participants and volunteers. In the past, evaluation of the program has been limited to pre and post surveys. This qualitative study includes two components:
- Interviews 6-8 weeks after the participants due dates with consenting mothers who participated in the Me Breastfeed workshop - 10-12 mothers who were matched with a Buddy (optional for all workshop participants) will be interviewed and 10-12 mothers who did not seek a match (but did participate in the workshop) will be interviewed to explore what they learned, what was helpful and how the program can be improved.
- One focus group with 10-15 Breastfeeding Buddies volunteers to explore the experiences and perspectives of the BFB volunteers.
- Conditions
- Breast Feeding
- Being tested
- Breastfeeding Buddies
- Medical subject headings
- Breast Feeding
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Breastfeeding BuddiesOther
a 2 hour breastfeeding workshop and if mother chooses, she is matched with a buddy who will contact her and offer breastfeeding support
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Breastfeeding Buddies participants | Mothers that participated in Me Breastfeed workshops. Half will have been in the education-only group and half will have a buddy/peer support person in addition to the workshop. Receives: Other: Breastfeeding Buddies | |
| Volunteer Focus Group | Breastfeeding buddies volunteers that deliver education and support programs. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Mothers Experiences Interview
An interview guide has been developed to assess the mother's experience and perspectives related to the intervention (education and/or support program). Questions are measuring whether the program is meeting it's intended goals including increasing knowledge, support, links to resources and increased initiation and duration of breastfeeding. The questions related to breastfeeding are based on a measure recently developed by health units in Ontario, Canada that is being used to monitor breastfeeding rates across the Province (Infant Feeding Surveillance Pilot Study). The survey is semi-structured in that the interviewer will be trained to probe participants to expand on their answers or ask relevant follow-up questions.
Measured: 2-3 months after participation in workshop (approximately 6 weeks past indicated due date of birth)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Volunteer Focus Group Guide
A series of questions have been devised to explore the experiences of peer support volunteers to understand their perspectives as peer support volunteers, collect stories of successes, challenges and areas for improvement in the program.
Measured: 2 months after first workshop within study period
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Jul 2015 (estimated)
- Study startJul 2015
- Primary completionDec 2015 (estimated)
- Study completionMar 2016 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Breast FeedingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Manulife Centre for Community Health Research
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Wilfrid Laurier University, Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre, Health Nexus Best Start
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02501499
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Manulife
- Status last verified
- Jul 2015
- First submitted
- 29 Jun 2015
- Last updated
- 17 Jul 2015
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
Publications
Jolly K, Ingram L, Khan KS, Deeks JJ, Freemantle N, MacArthur C. Systematic review of peer support for breastfeeding continuation: metaregression analysis of the effect of setting, intensity, and timing. BMJ. 2012 Jan 25;344:d8287. doi: 10.1136/bmj.d8287.
PubMed 22277543
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Jul 2015. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Breastfeeding Buddies: An Exploratory Evaluation Study of a Peer Support Program
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02501499
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Manulife
- Conditions
- Breast Feeding
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Manulife Centre for Community Health ResearchUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Wilfrid Laurier University, Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre, Health Nexus Best Start
- Study start
- Jul 2015
- Primary completion
- Dec 2015 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Mar 2016 (estimated)
- First posted
- 17 Jul 2015 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is an exploratory, qualitative evaluation study of the Breastfeeding Buddies (BFB) program. The Breastfeeding Buddies Program is a peer-based education and support program offered through the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre. The KDCHC has received funding to undertake a qualitative exploratory study of the BFB program. KDCHC has partnered with researchers at the Manulife Centre for Community Health Research at Wilfrid Laurier University to plan and implement this study.
The purpose of the evaluation study is to understand the perspectives and experiences of Breastfeeding Buddies (BFB) participants and volunteers. The evaluation will explore the process of implementation of the BFB education and support programs and assess the program impacts from the perspective of participants and volunteers. The methods in this study are qualitative because the BFB program has never collected qualitative data from program participants and volunteers. In the past, evaluation of the program has been limited to pre and post surveys. This qualitative study includes two components:
- Interviews 6-8 weeks after the participants due dates with consenting mothers who participated in the Me Breastfeed workshop - 10-12 mothers who were matched with a Buddy (optional for all workshop participants) will be interviewed and 10-12 mothers who did not seek a match (but did participate in the workshop) will be interviewed to explore what they learned, what was helpful and how the program can be improved.
- One focus group with 10-15 Breastfeeding Buddies volunteers to explore the experiences and perspectives of the BFB volunteers.
Detailed description
Breastfeeding has been demonstrated to offer numerous physical and emotional health benefits to infant and mother and is the recommended approach to infant feeding by all levels of health authorities. Canadian statistics reveal 89% of mothers initiate breastfeeding at birth but only 51% continue to do so when an infant has reached four months of age. Research has indicated that engaging informed, supportive peers and supportive communities may be effective methods to help mothers who wish to continue to breastfeed overcome common challenges.
This study seeks to explore the benefits and challenges in a Canadian peer support program. The study will assist the BFB to improve their programs and contribute to the growing body of research exploring breastfeeding interventions.This is an exploratory, qualitative evaluation study of the Breastfeeding Buddies (BFB) program.
BFB Program Description:
The Breastfeeding Buddies Program was initiated by breastfeeding mothers in the community and has been supporting breastfeeding families in Waterloo Region since 2003. Recognizing the value of mother-to-mother breastfeeding support, the aim of the Breastfeeding Buddies Program is to help increase the number of moms achieving success in breastfeeding through feeling connected and supported in their community. An informed decision making model is used and diversity is valued when supporting families. This peer based breastfeeding support is a partnership between the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre and Region of Waterloo Public Health and is available to all women in Waterloo Region.
Breastfeeding Buddies are matched with breastfeeding moms who have had similar experiences or may speak the same language and provide ongoing telephone support and share community resources. BFB's also regularly attend established community sites (e.g. Breastfeeding cafes at Early Years Centres) to provide support to moms on a drop-in basis. Initial contacts between BFBs and mothers are established prenatally when possible through the program coordinator, but may occur at any time in their breastfeeding experience. The program also offers a free 2 hour prenatal breastfeeding class called "Me? Breastfeed?" that is taught by BFBs. This practical workshop offers women and their partner's information on the first 7 days after birth, help with overcoming common challenges and community resources.
All Breastfeeding Buddy volunteers have successfully breastfed for at least 6 months (though many have breastfed for over one year), and are passionate about breastfeeding. They receive 20 hours of expert training with a nurse/lactation consultant and participate in monthly meetings to learn new skills.
The purpose of the evaluation study is to understand the perspectives and experiences of Breastfeeding Buddies (BFB) participants and volunteers.
The evaluation will explore the process of implementation of the BFB education and support programs and assess the program impacts from the perspective of participants and volunteers. The methods in this study are qualitative because the BFB program has never collected qualitative data from program participants and volunteers. In the past, evaluation of the program has been limited to pre and post surveys. This qualitative study includes two components:
- Interviews 6-8 weeks after the participants due dates with consenting mothers who participated in the Me Breastfeed workshop - 10-12 mothers who were matched with a Buddy (optional for all workshop participants) will be interviewed and 10-12 mothers who did not seek a match (but did participate in the workshop) will be interviewed to explore what they learned, what was helpful and how the program can be improved.
- One focus group with 10-15 Breastfeeding Buddies volunteers to explore the experiences and perspectives of the BFB volunteers.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Breastfeeding Buddies participants | – | Other: Breastfeeding BuddiesMothers that participated in Me Breastfeed workshops. Half will have been in the education-only group and half will have a buddy/peer support person in addition to the workshop. |
| Volunteer Focus Group | – | –Breastfeeding buddies volunteers that deliver education and support programs. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 16 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Pregnant women will be recruited through the Me Breastfeed workshops. It is a self-selected community program that serves the Region of Waterloo (about 500,000 people and 6000 births a year). Workshops are offered twice monthly and have about 20 participants at each session. Mothers will be invited to participate in an interview 5-8 weeks past their indicated due date.
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- participated in Breastfeeding Buddies programs
- live birth
- consented to contact
- biological mother
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- less than age 16
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Breastfeeding Buddiesa 2 hour breastfeeding workshop and if mother chooses, she is matched with a buddy who will contact her and offer breastfeeding support | Other | Breastfeeding Buddies participants |
Primary outcome
Mothers Experiences Interview
Time frame: 2-3 months after participation in workshop (approximately 6 weeks past indicated due date of birth)
An interview guide has been developed to assess the mother's experience and perspectives related to the intervention (education and/or support program). Questions are measuring whether the program is meeting it's intended goals including increasing knowledge, support, links to resources and increased initiation and duration of breastfeeding. The questions related to breastfeeding are based on a measure recently developed by health units in Ontario, Canada that is being used to monitor breastfeeding rates across the Province (Infant Feeding Surveillance Pilot Study). The survey is semi-structured in that the interviewer will be trained to probe participants to expand on their answers or ask relevant follow-up questions.
1 secondary outcome
Volunteer Focus Group Guide
Time frame: 2 months after first workshop within study period
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Jul 2015.
- Background: PubMed 22277543Jolly K, Ingram L, Khan KS, Deeks JJ, Freemantle N, MacArthur C. Systematic review of peer support for breastfeeding continuation: metaregression analysis of the effect of setting, intensity, and timing. BMJ. 2012 Jan 25;344:d8287. doi: 10.1136/bmj.d8287.
- Breastfeeding Statistics in CanadaLink provided by the sponsor.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Breast Feeding, run by Manulife Centre for Community Health Research.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Jul 2015. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Mothers Experiences Interview (time frame: 2-3 months after participation in workshop (approximately 6 weeks past indicated due date of birth)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02501499, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Jul 2015.