An evaluation of the effects of a breastfeeding support program on health outcomes.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To estimate the causal effect of a Michigan peer counselor (PC) breastfeeding support program for low-income women on infant health outcomes.

Data sources

Program referral forms, program forms (enrollment, birth, and exit data), and state administrative data from the Women Infants and Children program, Medicaid, and Vital Records.

Study design

Quasi-random enrollment due to the excess demand for PC breastfeeding support services allowed us to compare the infants of women who requested services and were enrolled in the program (the treatment group, N = 274) to the infants of women who requested services and were not enrolled (the control group, N = 572). Data were analyzed using regression.

Principal findings

The PC program increased the fraction breas

SUBMITTER: Haider SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4254137 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature