An exploration of targeted breastfeeding peer support V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Engagement with the health inequalities agenda: How have third sector breastfeeding support organisations developed their services for delivery in areas of socio-economic deprivation?
IRAS ID
238698
Contact name
Gillian Thomson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Central Lancashire
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
STEMH 558, UCLan ethics approval reference for phase one of the project
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 30 days
Research summary
How have third sector breastfeeding (BF) support organisations developed their services for delivery in areas of socio-economic deprivation?
BF is a public health priority, however UK rates, some of the lowest in Europe, show inequalities such that mothers from higher socio-economic backgrounds are most likely to breastfeed. Evidence for BF peer support (BPS) interventions aimed at increasing BF rates in areas of social deprivation and how these interventions interact with social contexts is lacking. Third sector BF organisations have middle-class origins but deliver BPS in areas of deprivation.
Aim: To explore how these organisations have adapted services for these contexts, and the extent to which services meet the needs of service-users in socially deprived settings.
Study Design: Two qualitative case studies of targeted BPS projects in areas of deprivation run by two different third sector organisations in different parts of England (not NHS services).
Sample: For each case study; mothers engaged (n=5) / not engaged (n=5) with the service, peer supporters (n=15, of these 5 will be interviewed, 10 will be observed), community health professionals (n=4), key stakeholders (e.g. Infant feeding co-ordinator, commissioner, peer support co-ordinator) (n=5).
NHS HRA approval, and University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) e-Ethics committee approval will be in place before accessing NHS services and recruiting community health professionals and NHS stakeholders (and before any form of data collection takes place).
Data Collection: Individual semi-structured telephone, video conferencing, or face-to-face interviews (all participants); peer supporters will be offered interviews singly, in pairs, or small groups (focus group); two observations of a peer supporter supervision session.
Data analysis: Transcriptions of audio recorded interviews / focus groups, and transcribed field notes of observations will be thematically analysed using qualitative data analysis software.
Timescale: 1.1.2018 – 30.11.2018.
Funder: UCLan PhD project.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0089
Date of REC Opinion
16 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion