Cost-effective Evaluation of an Educational Intervention based on Multiple Intelligences Versus Traditional Care to Improve Exclusive Breastfeeding in Mothers' Clubs in Peru.
Rubén Balabonce Chumpitaz Durand, Norma Del Carmen Gálvez Díaz, Daniel Ángel Córdova Sotomayor
PMID 34214279WHAT IT FOUND
In 217 Peruvian mothers, multiple-intelligences breastfeeding education had lower reported cost and higher knowledge and six-month-or-more exclusive breastfeeding than traditional teaching: 56.73% versus 41.59% knowledge benefit, and 68.27% versus 43.36% breastfeeding.
Key findings
01Mothers who improved breastfeeding knowledge were 56.73% in the multiple-intelligences group versus 41.59% in the traditional group, with a significant post-test difference (p = 0.002).
02Exclusive breastfeeding for six months or more was reported by 68.27% of mothers after multiple-intelligences education versus 43.36% after traditional education.
03The multiple-intelligences intervention had a reported total investment cost of USD $605 versus USD $765 for traditional, and a cost per mother who benefited in knowledge of USD $10.25 versus USD $16.28.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study compared groups from different mothers' clubs, so differences could reflect the women, the clubs, or local circumstances rather than the teaching method alone. The study compared two active educational programmes, so it does not answer whether either programme is better than no education. Follow-up was one year after the intervention, but the authors report difficulty locating mothers because many had begun work, which may affect the practice results. The cost-effectiveness figures are based on the authors' counted beneficiaries, defined as improved knowledge or breastfeeding for six months or more, and on reported intervention investment costs only.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that multiple-intelligences education is proven to cause better breastfeeding outcomes or lower costs in all settings. The study compared groups from different mothers' clubs, and the cost-effectiveness depends on the authors' definitions of a benefited mother.