The Effect of WhatsApp-Based Education and Counseling on Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, Body Satisfaction, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors, and Weight Retention in Postpartum Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Inonu University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Breast Feeding; Weight Change; Body Image; Postpartum Period; Health Behavior; Post Partum

Treatments: Behavioral: education

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07185906

IU-SBE-FB-01

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 86 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 49 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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86 participants in 2 patient groups

Experimental: WhatsApp-based Education and Counseling

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive an 8-week WhatsApp-based education and counseling program in addition to routine postpartum care. The intervention includes short educational videos, weekly messages, and feedback provided through WhatsApp. Content covers breastfeeding techniques, recognition of infant hunger cues, milk expression and storage, management of common breastfeeding problems, healthy nutrition, body satisfaction, and postpartum weight management.

Treatment:

Behavioral: education

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants receive routine postpartum care provided by Family Health Centers. They do not receive any structured WhatsApp-based education or counseling.