Breastfeeding interventions in Kansas: A qualitative process evaluation of program goals and objectives

• Clearly defined goals and objectives for breastfeeding programs serve as a blueprint for program administrators.
• Incorporation of evaluation measures is important in grant applications provided through local foundations.
• Collaboration between public health departments and community partners is key to the success of breastfeeding programs.
• Program evaluation training for the public health workforce should align with quality improvement and accreditation.
• Future evaluation research should focus on the needs of rural health departments and breastfeeding programs.

Across the state of Kansas, eighteen public health departments received funding through the 2011 Breastfeeding Grant Initiative to start a breastfeeding intervention. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the progress toward program goals and objectives. This study was a process evaluation. Qualitative data were collected from recipient health departments at two time-points during the program year. Structured, open-ended questions were asked through telephone interviews. This study examined: (1) progress toward program goals and objectives, (2) problems encountered during implementation, and (3) evaluation measures employed to assess program impact. All health departments reported making significant progress toward program goals and objectives and reported successful collaboration with other healthcare providers. The use of breast pumps, educational classes, and professional training of staff were reported as providing the best outcome in the promotion of breastfeeding. The majority of respondents did not measure program impact. From a public health perspective, it is important that infants receive breast milk for the first six months of life. It appears that goals and objectives set a priori guided health departments with the administration of their breastfeeding program. Results may be used to enhance and sustain delivery of breastfeeding support programs in Kansas communities.