Metaverse- and VR-Supported Education in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum: Effects on Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, Success

This randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effect of Metaverse- and virtual reality (VR)-supported education provided in a digital breastfeeding museum on breastfeeding knowledge level, self-efficacy, and breastfeeding success in primiparous pregnant women. The study population consisted of primiparous women who applied for the first time to the antenatal classes of three hospitals in Turkey between July 2023 and April 2024 during their third trimester and had no prior breastfeeding experience. A total of 53 primiparous pregnant women were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n=28) and the control group (n=25). While the intervention group received Metaverse- and VR-supported breastfeeding education in the digital breastfeeding museum, the control group received standard antenatal education provided in routine antenatal classes. Data were collected using a questionnaire assessing participant satisfaction and breastfeeding knowledge, the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF), and the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool. Assessments were performed at three time points: before the intervention, after the intervention, and postpartum.