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JCCNC 2026, 12(3): 0-0 |
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Hafizah I, Mujahid E H, Siagian H J, Alifariki L O. Effectiveness of Peer Education and Support Groups on Maternal Health: A Systematic Review of Antenatal and Postnatal Interventions. JCCNC 2026; 12 (3)
URL: http://jccnc.iums.ac.ir/article-1-973-en.html
URL: http://jccnc.iums.ac.ir/article-1-973-en.html
1- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Halu Oleo University, Kendari, Indonesia
2- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Halu Oleo University, Kendari, Indonesia
3- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, College of Science and Technology, University of Sembilanbelas November, Kolaka, Indonesia
4- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Halu Oleo University, Kendari, Indonesia
2- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Halu Oleo University, Kendari, Indonesia
3- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, College of Science and Technology, University of Sembilanbelas November, Kolaka, Indonesia
4- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Halu Oleo University, Kendari, Indonesia
Abstract: (7 Views)
Background: Maternal health outcomes are shaped not only by clinical care but also by social and psychological factors. Peer support interventions—where women with lived experience provide emotional, informational, and practical support—have increasingly been used during the antenatal and postnatal periods to address gaps in maternal care. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on peer support interventions for maternal mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period, including intervention outcomes as well as feasibility, delivery, and implementation characteristics across different study designs.
Method: This study was conducted as a systematic review, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO was performed for studies published between January 2000 and March 2025. Study selection and screening were managed using reference management software (Mendeley) for duplicate removal and record organization. Randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and pilot studies evaluating peer-based interventions among pregnant or postpartum women were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Due to substantial heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively.
Results: Twenty-eight studies, including randomized trials, quasi-experiments, and pilot programs across diverse countries, were included. Peer support consistently showed benefits in reducing postpartum depression, particularly in high-risk groups. Telephone- and community-based supports were notably effective, while technology-based approaches showed potential for broader reach. Effects on breastfeeding and service utilization were mixed but generally positive where culturally tailored peer models were used.
Conclusion: Peer education and support group interventions represent a promising and flexible approach to supporting maternal health, particularly mental health, during the antenatal and postnatal periods. While evidence suggests potential benefits across multiple outcomes, heterogeneity in study designs and reporting underscores the need for more rigorously designed trials, standardized outcome measures, and greater attention to implementation and long-term effectiveness.
Method: This study was conducted as a systematic review, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO was performed for studies published between January 2000 and March 2025. Study selection and screening were managed using reference management software (Mendeley) for duplicate removal and record organization. Randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and pilot studies evaluating peer-based interventions among pregnant or postpartum women were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Due to substantial heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively.
Results: Twenty-eight studies, including randomized trials, quasi-experiments, and pilot programs across diverse countries, were included. Peer support consistently showed benefits in reducing postpartum depression, particularly in high-risk groups. Telephone- and community-based supports were notably effective, while technology-based approaches showed potential for broader reach. Effects on breastfeeding and service utilization were mixed but generally positive where culturally tailored peer models were used.
Conclusion: Peer education and support group interventions represent a promising and flexible approach to supporting maternal health, particularly mental health, during the antenatal and postnatal periods. While evidence suggests potential benefits across multiple outcomes, heterogeneity in study designs and reporting underscores the need for more rigorously designed trials, standardized outcome measures, and greater attention to implementation and long-term effectiveness.
Keywords: Peer support, Maternal health, Postpartum depression, Breastfeeding, Systematic Review
Type of Study: Review Article |
Subject:
General
Received: 2025/10/7 | Accepted: 2026/02/16 | Published: 2026/08/23
Received: 2025/10/7 | Accepted: 2026/02/16 | Published: 2026/08/23
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