Title
Status of Breastfeeding and Child Immunization Outcomes in Clients of the Nurse–Family Partnership
Date
2017
Author(s)
William Thorland, Dustin Currie, Emily R. Wiegand, Joe Walsh, and Nick Mader
Brief Type
Journal Publication
Model(s)
- Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP)
Description
Background The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a home visiting program serving first-time, low-income mothers, with an area of focus on healthy early childhood development. Previous foundational trials of program effect on breastfeeding and immunizations have shown a mix of neutral and positive results. The present evaluation investigates these effects following program scale-up, using a large contemporary cohort of clients. Methods Nurse-Family Partnership client breastfeeding and immunization status were compared to National Survey of Children's Health data and National Immunization Survey data, respectively. Sample differences in demographic covariates were adjusted using logistic regression. Results Nurse-Family Partnership clients were significantly more likely to have ever breastfed (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR: 1.20 (1.17, 1.23)] and maintain breastfeeding at 6 [aPR: 1.17 (1.10, 1.24)] and 12 [aPR: 1.39 (1.25, 1.53)] months, but less likely to exclusively breastfeed at 6 months [aPR: 0.84 (0.70, 0.95)] NFP clients were significantly more likely to be up-to-date on immunizations at 6 [aPR: 1.23 (1.22, 1.25)], 18 [aPR: 1.33 (1.30,1.35)], and 24 [aPR: 1.15 (1.14, 1.16)] months of age than the reference cohort, with no significant difference at 12 months. Discussion Nurse-Family Partnership clients had more beneficial breastfeeding and immunization outcomes than children of mothers with demographically similar profiles. However, exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months lags behind the reference sample and represents a potential area for further improvement. (author abstract)
Data Collection Methods
- Program administrative record reviews
- Surveys or questionnaires
Status
Finished
For More Information
Thorland, W., Currie, D., Wiegand, E. R., Walsh, J., & Mader, N. (2017). Status of breastfeeding and child immunization outcomes in clients of the Nurse–Family Partnership. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 21(3), 439-445. doi: 10.1007/s10995-016-2231-6
Author Contact Information:
William Thorland
bill.thorland@nursefamilypartnership.org
Topics
- Participant, Family, and Program Outcomes