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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07185906

The Effect of WhatsApp-Based Education and Counseling on Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, Body Satisfaction, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors, and Weight Retention in Postpartum Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Brief Summary:

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of WhatsApp-based education and counseling on breastfeeding self-efficacy, body satisfaction, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and weight retention in postpartum women. The study was conducted between January and March 2025 at four Family Health Centers in Siirt, Turkey. A total of 120 postpartum women were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received an 11-week WhatsApp-based education program, including short videos and counseling sessions prepared under the guidance of the Health Promotion Model. Data were collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months using validated instruments: the Postnatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, the Body Satisfaction Scale, and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. The primary outcomes were breastfeeding self-efficacy and body satisfaction, while secondary outcomes included healthy lifestyle behaviors and postpartum weight retention. The findings are expected to provide evidence for the effectiveness of mobile health interventions in improving maternal health outcomes during the postpartum period.

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Key information

Conditions

Post Partum Behavior Body Image Body Weight Body Weight Changes Breast Feeding Feeding Behavior Health Behavior Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Postpartum Period Signs and Symptoms Weight Change

Age range

18 year–49 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

): Inonu University, Faculty of Health Sciences

Siirt, 56100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • • Women in the postpartum period (within the first week after delivery)
  • Aged 18-49 years
  • Able to read and understand Turkish
  • Owning a smartphone with internet access and WhatsApp installed
  • Willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Women with medical complications that prevent breastfeeding (e.g., serious maternal illness, contraindications to breastfeeding)
  • Infants with conditions that prevent breastfeeding (e.g., congenital anomalies affecting sucking or swallowing)
  • Women with severe psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairments that may interfere with participation
  • Women who do not agree to participate or withdraw consent during the study

Treatment and study plan

Education

Behavioral

WhatsApp-based training was provided

Primary outcomes

  1. Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy,

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 months postpartum, 6 months postpartum

    The Postnatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale will be used to assess mothers' confidence and self-efficacy in breastfeeding practices. Changes in mean scores between groups and over time will be evaluated.

  2. Body Satisfaction

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 months postpartum, 6 months postpartum

    The Body Satisfaction Scale will be used to measure mothers' satisfaction with their body image during the postpartum period. Changes in scores across intervention and control groups will be compared.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 months postpartum, 6 months postpartum

    Health-promoting lifestyle behaviors will be measured using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II). Total and subscale scores (nutrition, physical activity, stress management, interpersonal relations, health responsibility, and spiritual growth) will be analyzed.

  2. Postpartum Weight Retention

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 months postpartum, 6 months postpartum

    Postpartum weight retention will be calculated by subtracting the pre-pregnancy weight from the mother's postpartum weight at each measurement time. Changes will be compared between intervention and control groups.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Inonu University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Sep 22, 2025
Registry last updated
Sep 22, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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