Evaluating a DOHaD-informed breastfeeding education programme for adolescents in rural South African schools.

Background: Breastfeeding is essential for infant survival and health, yet South Africa's exclusive breastfeeding rates remain below global targets, with adolescents, future parents, and influencers seldom engaged in breastfeeding education. Methods: A quasi-experimental design study was conducted w...

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Publicado en:South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol. 39; no. 2; pp. 116 - 122
Autores principales: Mukoma, Gudani Goodman, Golele, Nkhensani Precious, Maswanganyi, Tinstwalo Doreen, Macnab, Andrew
Formato: clinical trial research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Jun2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jun2026
      vid: 39
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      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
      place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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        10.1080/16070658.2026.2645369
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        atl: Evaluating a DOHaD-informed breastfeeding education programme for adolescents in rural South African schools.
      aug:
        au:
          Mukoma, Gudani Goodman
          Golele, Nkhensani Precious
          Maswanganyi, Tinstwalo Doreen
          Macnab, Andrew
        affil: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
      sug:
        subj:
          Breast Feeding Education
          Health Knowledge Evaluation
          Rural Health Services
          Program Evaluation
          Learning Environment
          Disease
          Health
          Schools South Africa
          Public Sector
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Adolescence
          Adult
          Funding Source
          Quasi-Experimental Studies
          Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design
          South Africa
          Students, High School
          World Health Organization
          Practice Guidelines
          Paired T-Tests
          McNemar's Test
          Chi Square Test
          Sexual Dimorphism
          Unpaired T-Tests
          Logistic Regression
          Data Analysis Software
          Descriptive Statistics
          Odds Ratio
          Confidence Intervals
          Clinical Trials
          Parental Role
          Community Support
          Family Support
          Health Promotion
          Adolescent: 13-18 years
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: Breastfeeding is essential for infant survival and health, yet South Africa's exclusive breastfeeding rates remain below global targets, with adolescents, future parents, and influencers seldom engaged in breastfeeding education. Methods: A quasi-experimental design study was conducted with 119 Grade 11 and 12 learners in two rural South African public schools. A standardised 40-minute education session, based on WHO guidelines and the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) framework, was delivered in English and Tshivenda during regular school hours. Breastfeeding knowledge was assessed using a 10-item questionnaire administered before and after the intervention. Preferences for breastfeeding benefits were ranked post-intervention. Statistical analyses involved paired t-tests, McNemar's test, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Results: Breastfeeding knowledge scores improved significantly, rising from a mean score of 6.45 ± 1.3–7.53 ± 1.2 (p < 0.001), with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 0.83). Notable changes were observed in awareness of fathers' roles in breastfeeding (54% to 83%, p < 0.001) and in awareness of the benefits for fathers (17% to 66%, p < 0.001). Adolescents found maternal (38.7%) and paternal (30.3%) benefits most interesting. Female sex was identified as a significant predictor of high engagement, defined as rating two or more breastfeeding benefit categories as most interesting (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.05–3.20, p = 0.04) Conclusion: A brief classroom intervention improved adolescents' understanding and involvement in breastfeeding, emphasising parental roles. Integrating DOHaD-informed education in secondary schools may strengthen family and community support for breastfeeding in rural South Africa.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        clinical trial
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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