Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Training Curriculum For An Mhealth Supported Peer Counseling Program To Promote Exclusive Breastfeeding In Rural India, Roopa M. Bellad, Niranjana S. Mahantshetti, Umesh S. Charantimath, Tony Ma, Yukiko Washio, Vanessa L. Short, Katie Chang, Parth Lalakia, Frances J. Jaeger, Patricia J. Kelly, Geetanjali Mungarwadi, Chandrashekar C. Karadiguddi, Shivaprasad S. Goudar, Richard J. Derman

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Despite strong evidence about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, that is the baby receiving only breast milk, no other foods or liquids, rates have remained relatively unchanged over the past two decades in low- and middle-income countries. One strategy for increasing exclusive breastfeeding is through community-based programs that use peer counselors for education and support. The use of mobile health applications is also gaining increasing applicability in these countries. Minimal information is available about training peer counselors in the use of mobile technologies to support exclusive breastfeeding. The present article describes our curriculum in the state of Karnataka, India …