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. 1997 Mar;1(1):35-42.
doi: 10.1023/a:1026224402712.

An evaluation of breastfeeding promotion through peer counseling in Mississippi WIC clinics

L M Grummer-Strawn  1 , S P Rice, K Dugas, L D Clark, S Benton-Davis
Affiliations

An evaluation of breastfeeding promotion through peer counseling in Mississippi WIC clinics

L M Grummer-Strawn et al. Matern Child Health J. 1997 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a peer counseling program at increasing breastfeeding by participants in the Mississippi Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

Methods: Data from the 1989-1993 Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System were analyzed to compare breastfeeding rates in clinics with and without peer counseling programs. A questionnaire completed by program staff to describe the program in greater detail helped identify characteristics associated with greater success.

Results: The incidence of breastfeeding rose from 12.3% to 19.9% in those clinics with peer counseling programs, but only from 9.2% to 10.7% in clinics without a program. Clinics that started a program earlier showed greater changes in breastfeeding incidence. However, the presence of lactation specialists or consultants in the clinic appeared to be more important than the presence of less-trained peer counselors. Peer counselors who spent more than 45 minutes per participant were more effective than those spending less time.

Conclusions: The peer counseling program significantly increased the incidence of breastfeeding, particularly in clinics with lactation specialists and consultants. Success can be enhanced by ensuring that peer counselors spend a great deal of time with the participants.

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