Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is crucial to prepare adolescent mothers-who represent a vulnerable group where the importance of breastfeeding is increasingly emphasized-for the BF experience. A method on the rise or increasingly popular for promoting breastfeeding is through web-based education interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a web-based breastfeeding education program, developed by the researchers, on breastfeeding outcomes among adolescent pregnant women in the postpartum period. METHODS: This randomized controlled study involved a sample of 100 pregnant adolescents, aged 15-19 years, who were in their third trimester of pregnancy. The study commenced after obtaining ethical approval and permissions from the hospital where the research was conducted. A web-based breastfeeding education program was administered to the experimental group. Data were collected using a Socio-Demographic Data Form, the breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form (Antenatal Version), the breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form (Postnatal Version), and the LATCH breastfeeding Diagnosis and Assessment Scale. Data collection occurred during the third trimester (pretest) and the 1st and 8th postnatal weeks (posttest). Out of the initial 100 mothers, 90 completed the study. RESULTS: The results indicated that adolescent mothers in the experimental group scored higher than those in the control group in the 1st and 8th postnatal weeks. Additionally, rates of exclusive breastfeeding and the intention to breastfeed for up to two years were higher in the experimental group compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the web-based breastfeeding education program effectively improved breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding success, exclusive breastfeeding rates, and intentions to breastfeed for up to two years.