Comparison of breastfeeding self-efficacy between exclusive and non-exclusive breastfeeding in postpartum women

Background: Breastfeeding self-efficacy is an important factor in initiating and continuing breastfeeding. Objectives: The present study aimed to compare breastfeeding self-efficacy between exclusive and non-exclusive breastfeeding in postpartum women. Methods: This descriptive comparative study was conducted on ۲۲۸ women hospitalized in the Social Security Hospital of Zahedan who had given birth ۲۴ hours earlier. Sampling was performed using a convenience method from March to June ۲۰۲۴. Data were collected using a demographic-midwifery questionnaire and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF). Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version ۲۲ software, employing the Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests. Results: The mean (SD) age of the women was ۲۸.۱۴ (۶.۷) years. Most participants were housewives (۹۲.۵۴%) and had a diploma or lower level of education (۸۰.۲۶%). The mean (SD) score of breastfeeding self-efficacy was higher in women with exclusive feeding than in those with non-exclusive feeding [۴۹.۱۱ (۱۱) vs ۳۶.۹ (۱۱.۷)]. There was a statistically significant difference between the exclusive and non-exclusive feeding groups regarding breastfeeding self-efficacy (p=۰.۰۰۰), type of delivery (p=۰.۰۳۴), infant’s gender (p=۰.۰۰۰), and the number of breastfeeding per day (p=۰.۰۳۶). Conclusion: Women who gave birth while exclusively breastfeeding had higher breastfeeding self-efficacy than those who breastfed non-exclusively. To enhance breastfeeding self-efficacy, it is recommended to develop appropriate strategies for initiating and continuing breastfeeding.

کلیدواژه ها:

Breastfeeding ، Self-efficacy ، Exclusive Breastfeeding