Improving breastfeeding practices through cell phone counseling

India

Project Summary

This study will assess the feasibility, acceptance, and cost-effectiveness of using cell phones for personalized lactation consultation/health messaging, in addition to standard Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative activities, to promote appropriate breastfeeding practices and timely initiation of complementary feeding, improve child growth and reduce morbidity. The study will be conducted in four urban maternity hospitals catering to socio-economically disadvantaged women and will assess the feasibility of implementing the intervention from a hospital setting, and the acceptance of the messages by the target audience.

Collaborating Institutions

Lata Medical Research Foundation is the lead organization for this project.

Indira Gandhi Government Medical College & Hospital is a medical college and a 700-bed hospital, with an out patient attendance of 200,000/year and annual deliveries of 10,000.

Daga Memorial Government Hospital is a maternity and child care hospital with 335 beds and 35-40 deliveries per day.

Matru Seva Sangh, Mahal (Trust) is a 50-bed women’s hospital with 1300-1400 deliveries annually.

Matru Seva Sangh, Buldi (Trust) is an 80-bed women’s hospital with more than 2500 deliveries annually.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Archana Patel, M.D., DNB (Pediatrics), MSCE