Does Watson's Human Caring Theory-based Breastfeeding Educational and Support Programme Affects Mothers Breastfeeding Self-efficacy, Duration, Definitions and Satisfaction?: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Although breastfeeding have many benefits, breastfeeding rates are still not at the desired level. One of the most important factors in increasing breastfeeding rates is breastfeeding education. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to examine the effect of breastfeeding education and support program based on Human Caring Theory (HCT) on mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy, duration and definitions, and their satisfaction with this process.

It is a randomized controlled prospective study conducted between January 2019- March 2020 in 100 Turkish women (intervention:50; control: 50). A simple randomization method was performed using the siterandomizer.org to ensure samples' equality in two groups. The participants were randomly assigned to the groupwith Human Caring Theory based education and support (intervention) or a standard education program (control) group. The study method was explained, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. The researcher applied the education and support, and hence, blinding could not be done.

An intervention program was prepared by researchers who received many trainings on the practical use of Watson Human Caring theory. Watson Human Caring Theory based education and support program was conducted in groups of 6-8 pregnant woman in prenatal period and continues individualty web- based and by phone support in postnatal period. Two experts who have PhD degree in women's health nursing assessed the validity of the breastfeeding education program based on the HCT. The intervention group was given a breastfeeding education program based on the HCT for six face to face session conducted in parallel with asynchronous distance education sessions in prenatal period and continued with web based sessions and telephone support in postnatal period. The control group received solely standard education program for one sessions in prenatal period. Especially in postnatal period traditional face-to-face breastfeeding education and support may not be easy for women and their families. The "Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale", "Baby's Feeding Definition Form" and "Watson Caritas Patient Score"instruments were used for data collection.

Women's Descriptive Characteristics Question Form, The Baby's FeedingDefinition Form, Breastfeeding Self- Efficacy Scale-Short Form and Watson Caritas Patient Score were the instruments used for data collection.

Women's Descriptive Characteristics Question Formincluded ten questions related to age, education level, previous breastfeeding educationand gestational age.