Background
Despite the extensively reported and multifarious advantages of breastfeeding, rates in Ireland remain amongst the lowest in Europe. A disconnect continues to exist between the implementation of theory to practice. Based on the needs highlighted in recent maternity and health service policy, breastfeeding interventions of the future need to be multi-faceted, as it is no longer sufficient to rely solely on educated professionals to change breastfeeding outcomes.
Aim The aim of the partnership project is to enhance the implementation of evidence-based practice for Exclusive Breastfeeding throughout the pregnant woman’s journey to 3 months postpartum.
Design
To facilitate knowledge translation, an onsite Participatory Action Research (PAR) project across hospital and community settings will be conducted, involving implementing three key elements namely:
Education and skills based training for staff encountering women across their journey from hospital to community;
Facilitating changes in practice aligned to fully implementing policy supporting exclusive breastfeeding;
Enhancing the environment by creating dedicated space for exclusive breastfeeding mothers amenable to formal support and peer influence.
Data Collection
Situational analysis at pre-implementation stage to measure staff (characteristics, competence and attitudes) and environmental characteristics using quantitative and qualitative methods. Post intervention analysis will include situational (outcomes) and implementation process analyses to assess changes in:
Staff and women’s experience and awareness of the enhanced practice
Clinical practice
Characteristics of staff and readiness to change
Challenges and facilitators to implementation Inner and outer characteristics of the organisation
Intervention characteristics Impact on Health Policy and Practice
The PAR approach facilitates implementation and application of evidence-based theory to practice. Co-applicant knowledge users in hospital and community settings will be equipped with skills, knowledge, adapted policies and a modified environment to support and sustain exclusive breastfeeding practices. The interdisciplinary dissemination plan will enable project outputs to influence policy changes at local and national level.
