Abstract
Background and Objectives: Breastfeeding rates in Malaysia are lower than the Ministry of Health’s and World Health Organisation’s targets, only 47% exclusively breastfed infants compared to 58% and 70% set targets respectively. The role of community pharmacists is limited in pregnant and breastfeeding women. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-led interventions on breastfeeding practices among pregnant and postpartum women. The objectives include enhancing breastfeeding intention and self-efficacy in pregnant women and reducing anxiety and depression while improving self-efficacy in breastfeeding mothers.
Method: The study will involve training community pharmacists as breastfeeding-friendly pharmacists. Subsequently, a mixed-method approach, consisting of two studies, will then be conducted to evaluate the pharmacist-led interventions for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Study 1 targets pregnant women, whereby the intervention will increase their intention to breastfeed and self-efficacy. Study 2 targets breastfeeding women, whereby the intervention will reduce their anxiety and depression as well as increase their intention to continue breastfeeding and self-efficacy. For both studies, the cross-sectional study design will evaluate the pre-post improvement following the intervention. Follow-up evaluations will be conducted up to 2 months postpartum to assess breastfeeding practices, supplemented by qualitative feedback on the intervention’s feasibility and effectiveness.
Results and Discussion: Pharmacists will be trained to be more breastfeeding-friendly. Expected outcomes include improved breastfeeding intention and self-efficacy in pregnant women (Study 1), and enhanced postpartum mental health, self-efficacy, and breastfeeding continuation in mothers (Study 2). Follow-up results and qualitative feedback will inform the intervention’s effectiveness and feasibility, leading to improved future interventions.
Conclusion: Community pharmacists, as the most accessible healthcare professionals, can offer critical breastfeeding support in primary care settings. This model will further inform a scalable approach to improving breastfeeding rates and maternal well-being in Malaysia, aligning with national health objectives and global breastfeeding recommendations.
Method: The study will involve training community pharmacists as breastfeeding-friendly pharmacists. Subsequently, a mixed-method approach, consisting of two studies, will then be conducted to evaluate the pharmacist-led interventions for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Study 1 targets pregnant women, whereby the intervention will increase their intention to breastfeed and self-efficacy. Study 2 targets breastfeeding women, whereby the intervention will reduce their anxiety and depression as well as increase their intention to continue breastfeeding and self-efficacy. For both studies, the cross-sectional study design will evaluate the pre-post improvement following the intervention. Follow-up evaluations will be conducted up to 2 months postpartum to assess breastfeeding practices, supplemented by qualitative feedback on the intervention’s feasibility and effectiveness.
Results and Discussion: Pharmacists will be trained to be more breastfeeding-friendly. Expected outcomes include improved breastfeeding intention and self-efficacy in pregnant women (Study 1), and enhanced postpartum mental health, self-efficacy, and breastfeeding continuation in mothers (Study 2). Follow-up results and qualitative feedback will inform the intervention’s effectiveness and feasibility, leading to improved future interventions.
Conclusion: Community pharmacists, as the most accessible healthcare professionals, can offer critical breastfeeding support in primary care settings. This model will further inform a scalable approach to improving breastfeeding rates and maternal well-being in Malaysia, aligning with national health objectives and global breastfeeding recommendations.
| Original language | English |
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| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2024 |
| Event | National Pharmacist Convention 2024 : Pharmacy of the Future: Embracing Innovation Practices - Duration: 26 Jul 2024 → 28 Jul 2024 |
Conference
| Conference | National Pharmacist Convention 2024 |
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| Period | 26/07/24 → 28/07/24 |