Using the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Framework to Promote Rational Medicine Use among Breastfeeding Women: A Quasi-Experimental Intervention Study in Uganda
4 affiliations
- 1Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- 2Department of Community Health and Behavior Sciences, Makerere University School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- 3Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- 4Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Liverpool, England, UK
Abstract
Background: Rational medicine use during breastfeeding remains a challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Self-medication, incomplete dosing, inappropriate drug selection practices, poor adherence, and adverse drug reactions contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Although the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model has successfully influenced health behaviors, its application to promoting safe medicine practices among breastfeeding women in urban settings is limited. This study assessed the association of an IMB-based educational intervention with knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to medication use.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study with intervention and control groups was conducted among 184 breastfeeding women (≥18 years) with infants ≤12 months attending six urban clinics in Kampala, Uganda. Participants were recruited using systematic random sampling and allocated to intervention and control groups. The intervention comprised 12 weekly IMB-based health education sessions delivered through lectures, group discussions, videos, and printed materials. The control group received standard health education. Outcomes were measured at baseline and three months using structured Likert-scale questionnaires. Changes over time and between groups were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and mixed-effects regression models.
Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. At three months, greater improvements in knowledge were observed in the intervention group compared with the control group (89% vs. 80%; MD =8.3; 95% CI: 6.0–10.6), motivation (81% vs. 70%; MD =11.5; 95% CI: 8.6–14.4), and behavior (91% vs. 81%; MD = 9.9; 95% CI: 7.3–12.5), all p < 0.001. Mixed-effects regression analyses showed that changes over time differed significantly between the intervention and control groups, with greater improvements in knowledge observed in the intervention group compared with the control group (β = 7.34; p < 0.001), motivation (β = 11.49; p < 0.001), and behavior (β = 5.67; p = 0.012).
Conclusion: The IMB-based intervention improved women’s knowledge, motivation, and practices, supporting the integration of such programs into routine health education.
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BibTeX
@article{nakijoba2026using,
title = {{Using the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Framework to Promote Rational Medicine Use among Breastfeeding Women: A Quasi-Experimental Intervention Study in Uganda}},
author = {Ritah Nakijoba and Lynn M. Atuyambe and Simon Peter Asiimwe and Paul Mubiru and Catherine Namubiru and Solome Nakazzi and Ronald Kiguba and Catriona Waitt},
journal = {Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1177/15568253261470536},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/15568253261470536},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Using the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Framework to Promote Rational Medicine Use among Breastfeeding Women: A Quasi-Experimental Intervention Study in Uganda
AU - Ritah Nakijoba
AU - Lynn M. Atuyambe
AU - Simon Peter Asiimwe
AU - Paul Mubiru
AU - Catherine Namubiru
AU - Solome Nakazzi
AU - Ronald Kiguba
AU - Catriona Waitt
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/29
JO - Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
DO - 10.1177/15568253261470536
UR - https://doi.org/10.1177/15568253261470536
AB - Background: Rational medicine use during breastfeeding remains a challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Self-medication, incomplete dosing, inappropriate drug selection practices, poor adherence, and adverse drug reactions contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Although the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model has successfully influenced health behaviors, its application to promoting safe medicine practices among breastfeeding women in urban settings is limited. This study assessed the association of an IMB-based educational intervention with knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to medication use. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with intervention and control groups was conducted among 184 breastfeeding women (≥18 years) with infants ≤12 months attending six urban clinics in Kampala, Uganda. Participants were recruited using systematic random sampling and allocated to intervention and control groups. The intervention comprised 12 weekly IMB-based health education sessions delivered through lectures, group discussions, videos, and printed materials. The control group received standard health education. Outcomes were measured at baseline and three months using structured Likert-scale questionnaires. Changes over time and between groups were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and mixed-effects regression models. Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. At three months, greater improvements in knowledge were observed in the intervention group compared with the control group (89% vs. 80%; MD =8.3; 95% CI: 6.0–10.6), motivation (81% vs. 70%; MD =11.5; 95% CI: 8.6–14.4), and behavior (91% vs. 81%; MD = 9.9; 95% CI: 7.3–12.5), all p < 0.001. Mixed-effects regression analyses showed that changes over time differed significantly between the intervention and control groups, with greater improvements in knowledge observed in the intervention group compared with the control group (β = 7.34; p < 0.001), motivation (β = 11.49; p < 0.001), and behavior (β = 5.67; p = 0.012). Conclusion: The IMB-based intervention improved women’s knowledge, motivation, and practices, supporting the integration of such programs into routine health education.
SN - 1556-8253
SN - 1556-8342
ER -