%0 Journal Article
%@ 1438-8871
%I JMIR Publications
%V 22
%N 5
%P e17361
%T Effectiveness of Internet-Based Electronic Technology Interventions on Breastfeeding Outcomes: Systematic Review
%A Almohanna,Alaa Ali
%A Win,Khin Than
%A Meedya,Shahla
%+ School of Computing and Information Technology, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, 2522, Australia, 61 402592326, aaa933@uowmail.edu.au
%K breastfeeding
%K mobile app
%K mobile phone
%K mHealth
%K internet
%K computers
%K systematic review
%D 2020
%7 29.5.2020
%9 Review
%J J Med Internet Res
%G English
%X Background: Supporting women to initiate and continue breastfeeding is a global challenge. A range of breastfeeding interventions employing electronic technologies (e-technologies) are being developed, which offer different delivery modes and features over the internet; however, the impact of internet-based e-technologies on breastfeeding outcomes remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to identify the characteristics of current internet-based breastfeeding interventions employing e-technologies and investigate the effects of internet-based e-technologies on breastfeeding outcomes. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines in the following databases: Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, the Association for Computing Machinery, SpringerLink, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Xplore. Results: This systematic review included 16 studies published between 2007 and 2018, with 4018 women in 8 countries. The characteristics of the interventions were grouped based on (1) mode of delivery (web-based, mobile phone apps, and computer kiosk), (2) purpose of the interventions (education and support), and (3) key strategies (monitoring and breastfeeding tracking, personalization, online discussion forum, web-based consultation, and breastfeeding station locators). Combining educational activities with web-based personalized support through discussion forums appeared to be the most effective way to improve breastfeeding outcomes and long-term exclusive breastfeeding rates. Monitoring and breastfeeding trackers appeared to be the least effective ways. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a variety of internet-based e-technologies that professionals can use to promote, educate, and support breastfeeding women. Future internet-based breastfeeding interventions employing e-technologies might consider improving interaction with mothers and personalizing the content of the proposed interventions. 
%M 32469315
%R 10.2196/17361
%U http://www.jmir.org/2020/5/e17361/
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/17361
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32469315