The Library

The process of establishing implementing and maintaining a social support infant feeding programme

Tools

Watt, R. G., McGlone, P, Russell, J. J., Tull, K. I. and Dowler, Elizabeth, 1951-. (2006) The process of establishing implementing and maintaining a social support infant feeding programme. Public Health Nutrition, Vol.9 (No.6). pp. 714-721. ISSN 1368-9800

Preview

PDF
WRAP_Dowler_Process_Establishing_Infant.pdf - Requires a PDF viewer such as GSview, Xpdf or Adobe Acrobat Reader
Download (153Kb)

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/PHN2005901

Abstract

Objective To describe the process of establishing and implementing a social support infant feeding intervention. Design This paper outlines the initial stages of a randomised controlled trial which assessed the effectiveness of a social support intervention on a range of infant feeding outcomes. Details are presented of the processes involved in recruiting, training and supporting a group of volunteers who provided support to the study sample. Setting Camden and Islington, London, UK. Results Initial networking with local agencies and organisations provided invaluable information and contacts. Employing a dedicated volunteer co-ordinator is vitally important in the recruitment, training and support of volunteers. Providing child care and travel expenses is an essential incentive for volunteers with young children. Advertisements placed in local newspapers were the most successful means of recruiting volunteers. Appropriate training is needed to equip volunteers with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide effective support. Particular emphasis in the training focused upon developing the necessary interpersonal skills and self-confidence. The evaluation of the training programme demonstrated that it improved volunteers’ knowledge and reported confidence. The provision of ongoing support is also essential to maintain volunteers’ interest and enthusiasm. The retention of volunteers is, however, a key challenge. Conclusions The processes outlined in this paper have demonstrated the feasibility of successfully establishing, implementing and maintaining a community-based social support infant feeding programme. The experiences described provide useful insights into the practical issues that need to be addressed in setting up a social support intervention.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Infants -- Nutrition, Infants -- Health and hygiene, Social networks -- Research, Parenting -- Study and teaching -- Great Britain, Breastfeeding promotion -- Great Britain
Journal or Publication Title:	Public Health Nutrition
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
ISSN:	1368-9800
Date:	September 2006
Volume:	Vol.9
Number:	No.6
Page Range:	pp. 714-721
Identification Number:	10.1079/PHN2005901
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Funder:	Great Britain. Food Standards Agency (FSA)
References:	1 Foster, K, Lader, D, Cheesbrough, S. Infant Feeding 1995. London: The Stationery Office, 1997. 2 Thomas, M, Avery, V. Office for National Statistics. Infant Feeding in Asian Families. London: The Stationery Office, 1997. 3 Hamlyn, B, Brooker, S, Oleinikova, K, Wands, S. Infant Feeding 2000: London: The Stationery Office, 2002. 4 Kelly, Y, Watt, R. Breast-feeding initiation and exclusive duration at 6 months by social class – results from the Millennium Cohort Study. Public Health Nutrition 2005; 8: 417–21. 5 Darnton-Hill, I, Nishida, C, James, WPT. A life course approach to diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. Public Health Nutrition 2004; 7: 101–21. 6 Sikorski, J, Renfrew, MJ, Pindoria, S, Wade, A. Support for breastfeeding mothers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002; (1): CD001141. 7 Tedstone, A, Dunce, N, Aviles, M, Shetty, P, Daniels, L. Effectiveness of Interventions to Promote Healthy Feeding in Infants under One Year of Age: A Review. London: Health Education Authority, 1998. 8 Cohen, S, Syme, L. Social Support and Health. New York: Academic Press, 1985. 9 Cooper, H, Arber, S, Fee, L, Ginn, J. The Influence of Social Support and Social Capital on Health. A Review and Analysis of British Data. London: Health Education Authority, 1999. 10 Stansfeld, S. Social support and social cohesion. In: Marmot, M, Wilkinson, RG, eds. Social Determinants of Health. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999; 155–78. 11 Dean, K, Hancock, T. Supportive Environments for Health. Copenhagen: World Health Organization, 1992. 12 House, J. Work, Stress and Social Support. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1981. 13 Cohen, S, McKay, G. Social support, stress and the buffering hypothesis, a theoretical analysis. In: Baum, A, Singer, J, Taylor, S, eds. Handbook of Psychology and Health. Hillsdale, NJ: Laurence Erlbaum 1984; 253–67. 14 Oakley, A. Is social support good for the health of mothers and babies? Journal of Reproduction and Infant Psychology 1988; 6: 3–21. 15 Johnson, Z, Howell, F, Molloy, B. Community mothers programme: randomised controlled trial of a non-professional intervention in parenting. British Medical Journal 1993; 306: 1449–52. 16 Hodnett, E, Roberts, I. Home-based social support for socially disadvantaged mothers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2000; (2): CD000107. 17 Department of Health. Choosing Health – Making Healthy Choices Easier. London: Department of Health, 2004. 18 Taylor, T, Serrano, E, Anderson, J. Management issues related to effectively implementing a nutrition education program using peer educators. Journal of Nutrition Education 2001; 33: 284–9. 19 McGlone, P, Dobson, B, Dowler, E, Nelson, M. Food Projects and How They Work. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 1999. 20 Ewles, L, Simmnett, I. Promoting Health. A Practical Guide. London: Bailliere Tindall, 1999. 21 Ovretveit, J. Evaluating Health Interventions. Buckingham: Open University Press, 1998. 22 Dykes, F. Government funded breastfeeding peer support projects: implications for practice. Maternal and Child Nutrition 2005; 1: 21–31. 23 Croll, N, Jurs, E, Kennedy, S. Total quality assurance and peer education. Journal of the American College of Health 1993; 41: 247–51. 24 Meister, J, Warrick, L, deZapien, J, Wood, A. Using lay health workers: case study of a community-based prenatal intervention. Journal of Community Health 1992; 17: 37–51. 25 McInnes, R, Stone, D. The process of implementing a community-based peer breastfeeding support programme: the Glasgow experience. Midwifery 2001; 17: 65–73. 26 World Health Organization (WHO). The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. Health Promotion 1. Geneva: WHO, 1986; i–v. 27 Beattie, A. Knowledge and control in health promotion: a test case for social policy and social theory. In: Gabe, J, Calna, M, Bury, M, eds. The Sociology of the Health Service. London: Routledge, 1991. 28 Tones, K, Tilford, S, eds. Health Education: Effectiveness, Efficiency and Equity. London: Chapman and Hall, 1994. 29 Freire, P. Pedagogy of the Oppressed. New York: Herder and Herder, 1970. 30 Walker, C, Fisher, A. Growing into Giving: Young People's Engagement with Charity. Kent: Charities Aid Foundation, 2002.
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/686