Study of a Mobile Health App to Support Mothers with Breastfeeding and Feeding Practices for Babies in Pakistan

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to promote exclusive breastfeeding and young child feeding practices among pregnant women in Karachi, Pakistan, to improve child nutrition, growth, and survival. The study focuses on addressing the high rates of neonatal mortality and child malnutrition linked to suboptimal feeding habits. It evaluates the effectiveness of a mobile health m-health application designed to support mothers in providing better nutritional care during the first year of their childs life. The study compares two groups of near-term pregnant women who have access to smartphones. One group will use a culturally tailored m-health app called First Diet, which sends personalized weekly messages about breastfeeding and child feeding practices. The other group will receive face-to-face nutritional counseling during routine infant vaccination and growth monitoring visits. The intervention lasts from one month before delivery until the childs first birthday. Participants will be followed for one year, with assessments including infant feeding measures such as exclusive breastfeeding rates and timely introduction of solid foods. Additional evaluations cover complementary feeding practices, child growth parameters, and occurrences of respiratory infections and diarrhea. Data will be collected through questionnaires and routine health visits, with the goal of measuring improvements in feeding behaviors and child health outcomes.

Efficacy of Mobile Health Application in Promotion of Exclusive Breast Feeding and Young Child Feeding Practices in Pakistan