Date of Award

4-22-2016

Degree Type

Evidence-Based Project Report

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Amy C. Cory

Abstract

If every infant were breastfed within an hour of birth, exclusively breastfed until six months, and given breastmilk up to two years, almost 800,000 lives would be saved annually (who, 2014). Nationally, breastfeeding rates drop significantly from three to six months. A search of literature yielded significant evidence as fathers for facilitators to increase breastfeeding rates. The purpose of this evidence based practice (EBP) project was to determine the effects of best practice measures to educate fathers about breastfeeding to increase anytime breastfeeding rates. The social support theory and ACE Star model guided the literature search and implementation of this project into practice. The literature synthesis yielded three components of best practice: (a) attitude, support, and knowledge should be addressed in education; (b) timing of educational interventions affects breastfeeding outcomes; (c) and types of materials provided are determinants of breastfeeding outcomes. Participants were assigned to control and intervention groups based on dates of attendance at childbirth classes. The intervention consisted four components including two videos, a “dad’s playbook,” open discussion, and a postcard on mastitis symptoms at four weeks postpartum. Both groups were contacted at six weeks postpartum to collect data. The primary outcome was anytime breastfeeding rates, secondary outcomes included exclusive breastfeeding rates, postpartum partner support, and paternal-infant attachment. Evaluation of data was done through the Mann-Whitley U test. No significant results were noted in either the primary or secondary outcomes. The breastfeeding data tool, the postpartum partner support scale, and postnatal paternal-infant attachment questionnaire were used to measure primary and secondary outcomes. Using Cronbach’s alpha, the breastfeeding data tool had low reliability (r=0.032); however, both the postpartum partner support scale and the postpartum paternal attachment questionnaire were highly reliable (r = 0.94 and r = 0.86, respectively). Future studies should continue to apply interventions to educate fathers but should focus on higher levels of participation and should more precisely define the types of materials to provide to fathers.

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