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Social Transfers for Exclusive Breastfeeding in Brazil

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Development, Child
Breast Feeding, Exclusive
Development, Infant
Breastfeeding
Interventions
Behavioral: Social Transfer
Registration Number
NCT06157697
Lead Sponsor
Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute
Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of social transfers on exclusive breastfeeding rates in São Paulo, Brazil. The main research questions are:

1. Are social transfers effective at increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates

2. Are social transfers effective in prolonging the duration of exclusive breastfeeding

3. Are social transfers effective in prolonging the duration of complementary breastfeeding

4. What are the long-term impacts of social transfers for breastfeeding on child health and development

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) control, no social transfer 2) non-conditional social transfer at 6-months postpartum, and 3) conditional social transfer at six months postpartum; conditional upon the mothers exclusive breastfeeding status.

All participants receive education about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and current international recommendations.

Researchers will compare the intervention groups to the control group to see if social transfers are effective at increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates at six months postpartum.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
400
Inclusion Criteria
  • Gave birth in the last 72 hours
  • Exclusively breastfeeding at time of recruitment and intend to continue to exclusively breastfeed
  • Part of Bolsa Familia or on the Bolsa Familia list (CAD Unico)
  • Lives in São Paulo in the Butantã Jaguaré area
  • No illnesses that contraindicates breastfeeding
  • Had a healthy singleton infant of 37 weeks or more gestation with a birth weight of at least 2500 grams
  • Agrees to participate and sign an informed consent; if under age (12-17 years), a legal representative will also have to agree to sign the informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • Plans to move permanently outside study area
  • Has a medical, intellectual or psychological disability
  • Contraindication for breastfeeding
  • Preterm births
  • Children born with < 2500 grams

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention Group 1 - Non-Conditional Social TransferSocial TransferEducational materials focused on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and the current international recommendations are provided. At the baseline visit, participants are told that at the 6-month visit, they will receive a gift of their choice - which is meant to show our appreciation and support for their efforts in breastfeeding. Intervention: Behavioral: Social Transfer
Intervention Group 2 - Conditional Social TransferSocial TransferEducational materials focused on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and the current international recommendations are provided. At the baseline visit, participants are told that at the 6-month visit, they will receive a gift of their choice if they are still exclusively breastfeeding. Intervention: Behavioral: Social Transfer
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Prevalence of Exclusive Breastfeeding6 months postpartum

The proportion of women exclusively breastfeeding at 6-months postpartum will be assessed using a questionnaire. Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as receipt of only human milk - which is consistent with the World Health Organization guidelines. At six months postpartum, mothers are asked if they are still currently breastfeeding. If they answer yes, a follow-up question on if they provided any other liquids, solids, or supplements to their child to determine the exclusive breastfeeding status.

Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding6 months postpartum

The duration of exclusive breastfeeding will be assessed using a questionnaire. Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as receipt of only human milk - which is consistent with the World Health Organization guidelines. At six months postpartum, mothers are asked if they are still currently breastfeeding. If they answer yes, a follow-up question on if they provided any other liquids, solids, or supplements to their child to determine the exclusive breastfeeding status.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Early Childhood Development1 year, 2 years

When the child is two years of age, a comprehensive end line assessment will be conducted to evaluate early childhood development indicators (e.g. The Global Scale for Early Development (GSED). This indicator will be normalized to a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1 to facilitate interpretation of estimated group differences.

Prevalence of Complementary Breastfeeding6 months, 1 year, 2 years

The proportion of women complementary breastfeeding at 1-year, and 2-years postpartum will be assessed using a questionnaire. Complementary breastfeeding is defined as receipt of human milk in combination with complementary foods and liquid. At each time point postpartum, mothers are asked if they are still currently breastfeeding. If they answer yes, a follow-up question on if they provided any other liquids, solids, or supplements to their child to determine the complementary breastfeeding status.

Child Health Outcomes1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years

We will assess the child's health outcomes by using a questionnaire. The questionnaire will ask a range of yes or no questions about disease/illness history, hospitalizations, and other health events.

Duration of Complementary Breastfeeding6 months, 1 year, 2 years

The duration of complementary breastfeeding at 1-year, and 2-years postpartum will be assessed using a questionnaire. Complementary breastfeeding is defined as receipt of human milk in combination with complementary foods and liquid. At each time point postpartum, mothers are asked if they are still currently breastfeeding. If they answer yes, a follow-up question on if they provided any other liquids, solids, or supplements to their child to determine the complementary breastfeeding status.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Sao Paulo

🇧🇷

São Paulo, Butantã, Brazil

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