Combined WhatsApp and Face-to-Face Intervention Improves Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Practices in Indonesia: A Longitudinal Quasi-Experimental Study
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Abstract
This study evaluated the effectiveness of a WhatsApp-delivered infant and young child feeding (IYCF) education program for Indonesian women pregnant with their first or second child, and changes in local community health worker (‘cadre’) knowledge and skills following program implementation. A longitudinal quasi-experimental design was used with 24 trained cadres who delivered three WhatsApp video counselling sessions, three consultations with a nutritionist, and monthly home visits from late pregnancy through seven months postpartum; control participants received standard prenatal care. Knowledge and skills were assessed pre- and post-training, and breastfeeding outcomes among women (n = 113) were examined using logistic regression models adjusted for key sociodemographic and clinical factors. Cadres showed significant increases in IYCF knowledge after training, although skill levels did not change. Early initiation of breastfeeding increased from 7.1% to 54.4% in the intervention group, with intervention participants having higher odds of early initiation than controls (OR = 4.3, p < .05). Exclusive breastfeeding was also more common in the intervention group (80.7% vs. 58.9%) (OR = 3.02, p < .05). Maternal age and type of delivery were significantly associated with early initiation (OR = 4.4, p < .05; OR = 3.0, p < .05). Findings demonstrate the feasibility and potential of mobile IYCF education to strengthen maternal practices and support stunting prevention.
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References
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