Effectiveness of “Breast Milk Mother” Mobile Applications to Increase Knowledge and Attitude about Breast Feeding, Time to Release Breast Milk, and Adequacy of Breast Milk for Infants

Abstract

Background: The advancement of information technology opens up new possibilities for integrating mobile health into healthcare services. The Breast Milk Mother applications offer an alternative to provide information on breastfeeding. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the Breast Milk Mother mobile applications in increasing knowledge, attitudes, breastfeeding timing, and breast milk adequacy for infants.

Materials and Methods: This quasiexperimental study with a pre‑post control design was conducted in 2022 in Candirejo, Magetan, East Java, Indonesia. The sample consisted of 100 pregnant women in their third trimester until their infants were 7 days old, divided into two groups: intervention (50) and control (50). Purposive sampling was used, with the intervention group receiving the Breast Milk Mother applications, while the control group received breastfeeding counseling. Data on knowledge and attitude were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test and Wilcoxon test, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: There was no significant difference in knowledge and attitudes between the intervention and control groups before treatment (Z = ‑0.40, p > 0.05 and Z = ‑0.66, p > 0.05). After treatment, significant differences were found (Z = ‑7.81, p < 0.001 and Z = ‑5.76, p < 0.001). In both groups, significant improvements in knowledge and attitudes were observed post treatment (Z = ‑6.10, p < 0.001 for the intervention group and Z = ‑5.66, p < 0.001 for the control group).

Conclusions: The Breast Milk Mother mobile applications effectively improve knowledge, attitudes, breastfeeding timing, and breast milk adequacy for infants. The Breast Milk Mother mobile applications support exclusive breastfeeding and enhance midwifery services.