Investigation of the Effect of Video-Assisted Breastfeeding Education on State Anxiety, Breastfeeding Myths, and Breastfeeding Motivation in Primiparous Mothers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Breastfeeding is recognized as the optimal method of infant feeding and provides substantial health benefits for both infants and mothers. The World Health Organization recommends initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary feeding up to two years of age or beyond. Despite these recommendations, exclusive breastfeeding rates remain below desired levels worldwide.

Successful breastfeeding is influenced by multiple psychological, educational, and sociocultural factors. Primiparous mothers frequently experience uncertainty, anxiety, inadequate confidence, and misconceptions regarding breastfeeding. Breastfeeding myths, such as concerns about insufficient milk supply or beliefs that certain maternal characteristics determine breastfeeding success, may negatively affect breastfeeding practices and continuation. Maternal anxiety has also been associated with reduced breastfeeding confidence and motivation.

Advances in information and communication technologies have created new opportunities for delivering breastfeeding education. Video-assisted educational interventions provide standardized, visually supported, and repeatedly accessible learning materials that may improve knowledge acquisition, reinforce practical skills, and increase maternal confidence. However, evidence regarding the effectiveness of structured video-assisted breastfeeding education on breastfeeding motivation, breastfeeding myths, and maternal state anxiety among primiparous women remains limited.

This study is designed as a parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted in Family Health Centers in Iğdır Province, Türkiye. Eligible primiparous pregnant women will be randomly allocated to either a video-assisted breastfeeding education group or a routine care group. The educational intervention consists of three expert-developed video modules covering breastfeeding fundamentals, breastfeeding motivation, and common breastfeeding myths. Videos will be delivered weekly via WhatsApp during late pregnancy. Participants may view the videos as often as desired, and researchers will obtain feedback after each module through telephone or WhatsApp communication.

Women allocated to the control group will receive routine breastfeeding education provided within standard antenatal and postnatal healthcare services. Outcome assessments will be conducted before the intervention during pregnancy and again at eight weeks postpartum. The study aims to determine whether video-assisted breastfeeding education can improve breastfeeding-related psychological and behavioral outcomes compared with routine care alone.