Evidence-Based Practice Proposal

Annie Thomas
Grand Canyon University
Evidence-Based Practice Proposal
Background of the Problem
Evidently, breastfeeding is associated with several health benefits such as reduced risk of breast cancer, endometrial, and ovarian cancers, as well as, other chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes for the mother. Along with that, breastfeeding is associated with numerous benefits for the baby such as reduced episodes of diarrhea, lower respiratory infections, low infant mortality rates, asthma, diabetes, and childhood obesity among others (Anstey et al., 2017). For mothers who know and understand the numerous health benefits associated with breastfeeding, they are more likely to breastfeed. On the other hand, research indicates that although mothers believe that breastfeeding is important for their babies, those who do not understand the specific benefits and possible health risks of not breastfeeding are unable to make truly informed decisions about initiating and the duration of breastfeeding (Radzyminski & Callister, 2016). Additionally, mothers who do not how to initiate and continue breastfeeding are likely to be afraid it will be painful or they will be unable to produce enough milk to feed the baby. In essence, pregnant mothers who do not understand breastfeeding including initiating, benefits, and possible health risks are less likely to breastfeed their babies. Nonetheless, an article by Singletary, Chetwynd, Goodell, and Fogleman (2016) indicates that formal prenatal breastfeeding education can be helpful in informing women about the health advantages of breastfeeding and increase a mother’s ability to initiate breastfeeding and the breastfeeding duration.
Stakeholders/Change Agents
The prenatal breastfeeding education program to enhance a mother’s ability to initiate breastfeeding and increase breastfeeding duration is targeted at pregnant. Some of the identified stakeholders include:
The community health centers including healthcare providers who provide clinical and support services for pregnant women
Staff and volunteers in programs/agencies such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF that offer support services during prenatal period for pregnant women
Pregnant women and their families.
PICOT Question
For pregnant women (P), how does formal prenatal breastfeeding education (I) compared to no education or informal individual research (C) affect a mother’s ability to initiate breastfeeding (O) and increase breastfeeding duration (T)?
Purpose and Project Objectives in Specific, Realistic, and Measurable Terms
As earlier identified, breastfeeding is associated with several health benefits for both mother and baby. Unfortunately, statistics indicate that global breastfeeding rates are below the recommended numbers (Singletary et al., 2016). In an effort to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration, UNICEF and the World Health Organization recommend the use of educational interventions to increase awareness and cultivate positive attitudes among mothers towards breastfeeding. Drawing upon the PICOT question, the purpose of the project is to examine the impact of education intervention vs. lack of educational interventions on a mother’s ability to initiate breastfeeding and increase breastfeeding duration.
Supportive Rationale on the Importance of the Problem
According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund and World Health Organization, if all infants breastfed for at least six months of their lives, this would reduce the morbidity and malnutrition, as well as, other health-related problems (Burgio et al., 2016). Nurses play a significant role in encouraging pregnant women to initiate breastfeeding. Understanding how education interventions can help initiate breastfeeding can help nurses achieve their objectives in helping mothers to initiate breastfeeding, and increase breastfeeding duration. The issue is an important one for nurses to resolve using relevant professional literature sources in that, it will help nurses acquire knowledge on evidence-based practices that are appropriate and effective for mothers. It will also help them understand how to implement educational interventions to enhance compliance of breastfeeding among mothers.

References
Anstey, E. H., Shoemaker, M. L., Barrera, C. M., O’Neil, M. E., Verma, A. B., & Holman, D. M. (2017). Breastfeeding and Breast Cancer Risk Reduction: Implications for Black Mothers. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 53(3), S40-S46.
Burgio, M. A., Laganà, A. S., Sicilia, A., Prosperi, P. R., Porpora, M. G., Ban, F. H., DI, V. G., … Triolo, O. (2016). Breastfeeding Education: Where Are We Going? A Systematic Review Article. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 45(8), 970-977.
Radzyminski, S., & Callister, L. C. (2016). Mother’s Beliefs, Attitudes, and Decision Making Related to Infant Feeding Choices. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 25(1), 18-28.
Singletary, N., Chetwynd, E., Goodell, L. S., & Fogleman, A. (2016). Stakeholder views of breastfeeding education in schools: a systematic mixed studies review of the literature. International Breastfeeding Journal, 12(1), 1-13.