Metaverse- and VR-Supported Education in a Digital Breastfeeding Museum: Long-Term Effects on Breastfeeding Process, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled prospective study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of Metaverse- and virtual reality (VR)-supported education provided in a digital breastfeeding museum on the breastfeeding process, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding motivation, and breastfeeding-related problems in primiparous mothers. While the intervention group received Metaverse- and VR-supported breastfeeding education in the digital breastfeeding museum, the control group received standard education provided in routine antenatal classes. The study population consisted of primiparous mothers who had participated in the previous randomized controlled study and voluntarily agreed to take part in this new prospective study. Participants were followed at four postpartum periods: 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, and 18-24 months. Data were collected using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF), the Breastfeeding Motivation Scale, the Breastfeeding Problems Assessment Scale, and a questionnaire form (including breastfeeding duration and other parameters). Assessments were conducted at the planned follow-up intervals.