Breastfeeding has the potential to reduce health disparities associated with infant mortality and morbidity. Breastfeeding rates by ethnicity in the United States show a marked disparity in African-American (AA) women as compared to other groups. Barriers to breastfeeding are complex with literature citing a lack of knowledge, poor family and social support, inhibiting social norms/embarrassment in public, lactation problems, and limited access to health services as factors. In this Phase 1 STTR study, our multi-PI team proposes to develop KULEA-NET, a comprehensive, integrated mHealth platform that is designed to address the complex challenges of increasing breastfeeding in AA women by promoting breastfeeding initiation and supporting exclusive breastfeeding for six months. The 9- month project includes a health advisory panel, focus group sessions, mobile application design, development, and pilot testing of KULEA-NET at Medstar Washington Hospital Center. Our team includes expertise in maternal and child health, perinatal nursing, lactation, public policy, quantitative and qualitative methodology, and mobile development. The long-term product goal is to develop KULEA-NET to be user-friendly, culturally-relevant, and context- aware mobile platform available to African-American mothers. If successful, the study will have a significant impact on improving maternal and child health outcomes.
The comprehensive, integrated KULEA-NET mobile health platform is designed to address the complex challenges of increasing breastfeeding in African-American women by promoting breastfeeding initiation and supporting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. KULEA-NET will provide an automated, personalized, context-aware intervention using layered communication of breastfeeding information and content, social and clinical support, and user engagement through timely communication and support, and reminders for the mother and her support network.
