Affiliation:
1. Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences Harran University Şanlıurfa Turkey
2. Health Services Vocational School Harran University Şanlıurfa Turkey
Abstract
AbstractAimsThe primary aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis is to evaluate the effects of home nurse visiting on infant weight and breastfeeding; the secondary aim is to determine the duration, frequency and content of home visits.MethodsA systematic search of the PubMed, CINAHL, Embase (Ovid), Web of Science, Google Scholar and DergiPark databases for publications between September 2000 and January 2019 was conducted using established methods in compliance with the PRISMA‐P declaration guideline. Two authors independently evaluated the studies for inclusion and bias, extracted the data and checked their accuracy.ResultsThis meta‐analysis includes a total of 34 studies, 28 on breastfeeding and nine on infant weight. The average effect size of the 28 studies investigating the effect on breastfeeding was found to be OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.73–2.90; p < 0.001. The average effect size of the nine studies investigating the effect on infant weight was found to be ES: 0.197; 95% CI: 0.027–0.368; p < 0.05.ConclusionThere is an association between nurse home visits and breastfeeding and infant weight. Home visits by nurses should continue to remain within the nursing role and be analysed appropriately for mother and baby health.