Effect of online intervention mode on breastfeeding results: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Internet based intervention model on breastfeeding knowledge, attitude, self-confidence and breastfeeding rate. METHODS: An electronic literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, CNKI, Wanfang, CBM and VIP database was performed using combinations of the keywords “Breastfeeding,” “Breastfeeding, Exclusive,” “Internet,” “Online,” and “Website”. The retrieval period was from their inception to March 31, 2023. Quality appraisal was performed using the Cochrane 5.1 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RevMan5.3 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-two studies were included in the review, with a total of 9514 samples. The results of Meta-analysis showed that, compared with routine nursing, the intervention model based on the Internet can effectively improve breastfeeding knowledge and attitude of pregnant women, improve breastfeeding self-confidence (P < 0.05), and improve the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the short term (within 6 weeks) and the long-term postpartum (3–6 months) had a positive effect on the rate of exclusive breastfeeding (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The Internet breastfeeding intervention model may be an effective intervention to improve the effect of exclusive breastfeeding. In the future, more high-quality, large-sample randomized controlled trials can be carried out to further explore the effect of the Internet intervention model on breastfeeding. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12978-023-01701-0.