Healthcare providers’ views on the acceptability of financial incentives for breastfeeding: a qualitative study

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Clare Relton¹  Elaine Scott¹  Mary J Renfrew³  Mark Strong¹  Heather Whitford³  Patrice Van Cleemput¹  Kate J Thomas²  Barbara Whelan¹ 

[1] Section of Public Health, School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK;Medical Care Research Unit, ScHARR, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK;Mother and Infant Research Unit, College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HJ, UK

关键词: Relationships;    Acceptability;    Qualitative;    Financial incentives;    Breastfeeding;   

Others  :  1118401
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2393-14-355

 received in 2014-05-01, accepted in 2014-09-22,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Despite a gradual increase in breastfeeding rates, overall in the UK there are wide variations, with a trend towards breastfeeding rates at 6–8 weeks remaining below 40% in less affluent areas. While financial incentives have been used with varying success to encourage positive health related behaviour change, there is little research on their use in encouraging breastfeeding. In this paper, we report on healthcare providers’ views around whether using financial incentives in areas with low breastfeeding rates would be acceptable in principle. This research was part of a larger project looking at the development and feasibility testing of a financial incentive scheme for breastfeeding in preparation for a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Methods

Fifty–three healthcare providers were interviewed about their views on financial incentives for breastfeeding. Participants were purposively sampled to include a wide range of experience and roles associated with supporting mothers with infant feeding. Semi-structured individual and group interviews were conducted. Data were analysed thematically drawing on the principles of Framework Analysis.

Results

The key theme emerging from healthcare providers’ views on the acceptability of financial incentives for breastfeeding was their possible impact on ‘facilitating or impeding relationships’. Within this theme several additional aspects were discussed: the mother’s relationship with her healthcare provider and services, with her baby and her family, and with the wider community. In addition, a key priority for healthcare providers was that an incentive scheme should not impact negatively on their professional integrity and responsibility towards women.

Conclusion

Healthcare providers believe that financial incentives could have both positive and negative impacts on a mother’s relationship with her family, baby and healthcare provider. When designing a financial incentive scheme we must take care to minimise the potential negative impacts that have been highlighted, while at the same time recognising the potential positive impacts for women in areas where breastfeeding rates are low.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Whelan et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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