Effects of home visit on perceived social support of mothers and the continuation of exclusive breastfeeding: A randomized clinical trial study

Introduction: Exclusive breastfeeding does not continue until six months in many places. It is seem, many factors are involved. The interventions for increase mothers� social support during breastfeeding could be effective. The aim of this study was to examine effect of home visit on social support and the continuity exclusive breastfeeding in Bokan city from kurdestan province. Materials and Methods: In this research, 108 mothers which have 3-5 day�s old neonates that were referred to 8 health care centers of Bokan (Iran). They were entered into the study by random allocation using randomized block design and were divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention consisted of six home-based training programs of about 30 minutes. The instruments used included demographic questionnaire and midwifery history, perceived social support tool of Zimet, and a researcher-made questionnaire on exclusive breastfeeding. Results: Most mothers in the intervention group continued exclusive breastfeeding until the fourth month, and the majority in the control group continued exclusive breastfeeding until the first and second months. In general, the mean number of breastfeeding months in the intervention group was 3.15±1.01 months and in the control group 1.71±0.906 months. Also, most people in the intervention group (76) had more than 8 times breastfeeding per day, while most mothers in the control group (88) had less than 8 times breastfeeding. Mothers� perception social support score were not significant difference in two groups. Conclusion: Home visit and follow-ups have led to a long-term exclusive breastfeeding and more often overnight, so it's possible to set up such plans to enhance breastfeeding status. Home visit did not effect on mothers� perceive social support and fathers� attitude. It is seem to need future further interventions in this field with long time follow up and qualitative study with influence in deep layer in culture people in Bokan city. © 2020, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved