Dataset Information

Perceptions of online informational social support among mothers in a lactation-focused virtual community: A survey study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Peer support, also described as woman-to-woman support, has been well established as an effective intervention for overcoming barriers to breastfeeding duration. To access support and receive information, mothers are likely to access social media platforms, especially given the challenges to healthcare access presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous research has established that virtual communities can promote peer-to-peer support similar to that seen in communities of practice.

Research aim

The aims of this study were to describe levels of perceived informational social support among mothers in an online virtual community and to determine which features of the virtual community were perceived most favorably by breastfeeding mothers.

Methods

The study design was a cross-sectional survey of members of an existing social media community of breastfeeding mothers with use of the Online Social Support Scale-Informational subscale, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Short Form, and additional open-ended questions during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were recruited within a single, lactation-focused virtual community that was moderated by lactation support professionals.

Results

In regard to online social support specific to information seeking, the reported social support was moderate to high (M = 35.53, range = 17-48). Most items had a score average of approximately 3, indicating that participants perceived informational support "Pretty often" from their group interactions. Participants in this study had an average Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy-Short Form score of 57.91, indicating a moderately high level of breastfeeding self-efficacy. Content analysis of open-ended items regarding favorable characteristics of the virtual community indicated participants appreciated the immediacy of feedback and the presence of lactation support professionals within the community.

Conclusion

Mothers in the lactation professional-led virtual community perceived moderately high support in health information seeking and experienced moderately high breastfeeding self-efficacy. Additional work is needed to determine the impact of participation in virtual communities on breastfeeding outcomes.

SUBMITTER: Munyan K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9516422 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Perceptions of online informational social support among mothers in a lactation-focused virtual community: A survey study.

Munyan Kristen K Kennedy Erin E

Women's health (London, England) 20220101

<h4>Background</h4>Peer support, also described as woman-to-woman support, has been well established as an effective intervention for overcoming barriers to breastfeeding duration. To access support and receive information, mothers are likely to access social media platforms, especially given the challenges to healthcare access presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous research has established that virtual communities can promote peer-to-peer support similar to that seen in communities of pra ...[more]

PMID: 36154538

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Project description:Seeking support from Facebook groups during pregnancy is now widespread and social media has been widely used by the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) maternity services to communicate with service users during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, little is currently known about midwives' attitudes towards, and experiences of social media in practice. Research is needed to understand barriers and solutions to meeting mothers' expectations of online support and to improve services. This study explored midwife involvement in Facebook groups, exploring experiences and perceptions of its use to communicate with and support mothers. An online survey consisting of open and closed questions was completed by 719 midwives and student during August- September 2020. Quantitative questionnaire data was analysed descriptively using SPSS v26. Qualitative data gathered from free text responses was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Few participants were involved in providing Facebook support, and most of these were unpaid. There was a consensus on a range of benefits for mothers, but widespread concern that engaging with mothers online was a personal and professional risk, underpinned by a lack of support. Experience of being involved in midwife moderation increased belief in its benefits and reduced fear of engaging online, despite a lack of renumeration and resources. Midwives and students felt they were discouraged from offering Facebook support and sought further training, guidance and support. Although limited, experiences of providing Facebook group support are positive. Perceptions of risk and a lack of support are significant barriers to midwives' involvement in using Facebook groups to support mothers. Midwives seek support and training to safely and effectively engage with mothers using Facebook. Engaging with mothers via social media is embedded in UK national policy and NHS digital strategy, and progress is needed to fulfil these, to improve services and meet mothers' expectations. Midwives' experiences suggest extending opportunities to provide Facebook support would benefit midwives, services and families. Consultation to revise local policy to support midwives and students in line with strategic goals is recommended.

Project description:BackgroundPregnancy- and lactation-induced osteoporosis (PLO) presenting as spinal fractures is rare, and the spectrum of clinical presentation, risk factors and pathophysiology are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to delineate clinical parameters, risk factors and osteoporosis-related quality of life (QOL) of women with PLO.MethodsParticipants of a social-media (WhatsApp) PLO group and mothers of a parents' WhatsApp group (control group) were offered to fill a questionnaire, including an osteoporosis-related QOL section. The groups were compared using the independent Students t test for numerical variables, and the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables.ResultsTwenty-seven women with PLO and 43 in the control group (aged 36.2 ± 4.7 and 38.8 ± 4.3 years, respectively, p = 0.04) participated. Among women with PLO, more than 5 vertebrae were involved in 13 (48%), 4 vertebrae in 6 (22%), and 3 or fewer vertebrae in 8 (30%). Among the 24 women with relevant data, 21 (88%) had nontraumatic fractures; 3 (13%) women had fractures during pregnancy, and the remaining during the early postpartum period. Diagnosis was delayed for over 16 weeks for 11 (41%) women; 16 (67%) received teriparatide. Significantly lower proportions of women in the PLO group engaged in physical activity over 2 hours/week, before and during pregnancy (37 vs. 67%, p < 0.015 and 11 vs. 44%, p < 0.003, respectively). A lower proportion of the PLO than the control group reported calcium supplementation during pregnancy (7% vs. 30%, p = 0.03) and a higher proportion reported treatment with low-molecular-weight-heparin during pregnancy (p = 0.03). Eighteen (67%) of the PLO group expressed fear of fractures and 15 (56%) fear of falls, compared to none and 2%, respectively, of the control group (p < 0.00001 for both).ConclusionsMost of the women with PLO who responded to our survey reported spinal fractures involving multiple vertebrae, delayed diagnosis, and treatment with teriparatide. Compared to a control group, they reported less physical activity and impaired QOL. For this uncommon yet severe condition, a multidisciplinary effort should be exerted for early identification and treatment, to alleviate back pain, prevent subsequent fractures and improve QOL.

Dataset Information

Perceptions of online informational social support among mothers in a lactation-focused virtual community: A survey study.

Background

Research aim

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Perceptions of online informational social support among mothers in a lactation-focused virtual community: A survey study.

Similar Datasets

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