Body Image, Breast Feeding, Health Behavior, Post Partum, Postpartum Period, Weight Change
Conditions
Brief summary
Brief Summary: This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of WhatsApp-based education and counseling on breastfeeding self-efficacy, body satisfaction, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and weight retention in postpartum women. The study was conducted between January and March 2025 at four Family Health Centers in Siirt, Turkey. A total of 120 postpartum women were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received an 11-week WhatsApp-based education program, including short videos and counseling sessions prepared under the guidance of the Health Promotion Model. Data were collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months using validated instruments: the Postnatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, the Body Satisfaction Scale, and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. The primary outcomes were breastfeeding self-efficacy and body satisfaction, while secondary outcomes included healthy lifestyle behaviors and postpartum weight retention. The findings are expected to provide evidence for the effectiveness of mobile health interventions in improving maternal health outcomes during the postpartum period.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALeducation
WhatsApp-based training was provided
Sponsors
Inonu University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups in a parallel design.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 49 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* • Women in the postpartum period (within the first week after delivery) * Aged 18-49 years * Able to read and understand Turkish * Owning a smartphone with internet access and WhatsApp installed * Willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Women with medical complications that prevent breastfeeding (e.g., serious maternal illness, contraindications to breastfeeding) * Infants with conditions that prevent breastfeeding (e.g., congenital anomalies affecting sucking or swallowing) * Women with severe psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairments that may interfere with participation * Women who do not agree to participate or withdraw consent during the study
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, | Baseline, 3 months postpartum, 6 months postpartum | The Postnatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale will be used to assess mothers' confidence and self-efficacy in breastfeeding practices. Changes in mean scores between groups and over time will be evaluated. |
| Body Satisfaction | Baseline, 3 months postpartum, 6 months postpartum | The Body Satisfaction Scale will be used to measure mothers' satisfaction with their body image during the postpartum period. Changes in scores across intervention and control groups will be compared. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors | Baseline, 3 months postpartum, 6 months postpartum | Health-promoting lifestyle behaviors will be measured using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II). Total and subscale scores (nutrition, physical activity, stress management, interpersonal relations, health responsibility, and spiritual growth) will be analyzed. |
| Postpartum Weight Retention | Baseline, 3 months postpartum, 6 months postpartum | Postpartum weight retention will be calculated by subtracting the pre-pregnancy weight from the mother's postpartum weight at each measurement time. Changes will be compared between intervention and control groups. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed