The Effect of Theory-Based Research on Breastfeeding:A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis

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The aim of this study is to systematically review the results of theory-based research on breastfeeding and to perform a meta-analysis of the available evidence. The literature review for this systematic review was conducted between September and October 2022 by using five electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ULAKBIM. Published articles were scanned using MeSH-based keywords. Only Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) conducted in the last five years were included. The data were analyzed using the Review Manager computer program (Version 5.3).Two randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. All of the studies were combined for breastfeeding information, time to start breastfeeding, and five-course (breast milk only, breast milk, and formula). The meta-analysis revealed that theory-based education increased the rate of breastfeeding information of pregnant women in the postpartum period (OR: 0.73 95% CI: 0.51 to 1.05, Z = 1.69, p: 0.09), the rate of exclusive breastfeeding (OR: 1.80 95% CI: 1.26 to 2.57, Z = 3.23, p: 0.001) and decreased the rate of feeding intake (OR: 0.49 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.74, Z = 3.41, p: 0.0007). The study findings found that education did not affect the rate of early initiation of breastfeeding between groups ((OR: 1.31 95% CI: 0.91 to 1.90, Z = 1.45, p: 0.15) and was not significant. This study provides sufficient evidence that theory-based training has positive effects on breastfeeding attitudes and behaviors.