Effects of providing nursing care with web-based program on maternal self-efficacy and infant health.

OBJECTIVE

The study was conducted to examine the efficacy of a web-based program, informed by Pender's Health Promotion Model, given to primiparous women on the growth and development of infant, infants' health, and women's self-efficacy level.

METHODS

This randomized controlled study with a posttest design was conducted in three primary care clinics. The study group comprised 71 primiparous women and their infants (intervention group: N = 35; control group: N = 36). The women who are at the 33-37th gestational week in the intervention group participated in the web-based program. They completed four education modules. Women in the control group received routine care in clinics. Data forms were completed in the first week and first, second, and third months postpartum. Breastfeeding status, weight, head circumference, development of infants and women's self-efficacy were evaluated in the postnatal period up to 3 months.

RESULTS

In the intervention group, the ratio of infants who were exclusively breastfed was higher compared to the control group. The mean scores for the LATCH instrument which measures breastfeeding status and Parental Self-Efficacy Scale, were significantly higher in the intervention compared to the control group (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

The women who participated in the web-based program demonstrated better self-efficacy and their infants demonstrated better scores on measures of growth, development, and health than those in the control group.