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Social Transfers for Exclusive Breastfeeding

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Development, Child
Breast Feeding, Exclusive
Breastfeeding
Development, Infant
Interventions
Behavioral: Social Transfer
Registration Number
NCT05665049
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 Lao PDR. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Are social transfers effective at increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6-months

2. Are social transfers cost-effective

3. What are the long-term impacts of social transfers for breastfeeding on child 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
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
300
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

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 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.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Prevalence of Exclusive Breastfeeding at 6-Months Postpartum6 Months Postpartum

The primary endpoint is the proportion of women exclusively breastfeeding at 6-months postpartum 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
Mother and Child Anemia Levels1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years

We will assess the mother and child anemia levels. The HemoCue Hb 301 will be used to give an instant measurement of the Haemoglobin (Hb) level of the patient. Capillary blood will be collected through a finger prick. Blood samples drawn for the haemoglobin assessment will be discarded after the test. Iron levels will be analyzed as a continuous outcome.

Early Childhood Development3 years

When the child is three years of age, the IDELA will assess children's cognitive, social and language skills, and lifelong capacity for learning. This indicator will be normalized to a mean of 0 and SD of 1 to facilitate interpretation of estimated group differences.

Anthropometric Measurements1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years

Infants will be measured for length, weight, head circumference, skinfold thickness. Height was measured in centimeters by using a Height Measuring Device, stadiometer, 20-205cm. Weight was measured in kilograms by a mobile weighing scale. Skin fold measurements were collected using a skin fold caliper. Head, waist, and hip measurements and MUAC were measured using non-stretchable measuring tape. All measurements will be analyzed as age standardized z-scores.

Complementary Breastfeeding Duration6 months, 1 year, 2 years

The proportion of women complementary breastfeeding at 6-months, 1-year, and 2-years postpartum 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)

Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute (Lao TPHI)

🇱🇦

Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic

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