Comparison of Health Literacy of Mothers with Preterm and Full-term Birth in Exclusive Breastfeeding and Related Factors

Background and Objectives: Enhancing women's health literacy leads to a better understanding of health information and can directly influence child nutrition and health throughout the developmental years. This study compared the health literacy of mothers with preterm and full-term births regarding exclusive breastfeeding and related factors among those attending healthcare centers in the Mashhad districts.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in ۲۰۲۳ on ۶۴۸ women with children under two years of age who attended health centers in Mashhad, Iran. Participants were selected using proportional random sampling. Data were collected through validated and reliable questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, the Labbok breastfeeding levels questionnaire to assess breastfeeding status, and maternal health literacy. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version ۲۵, employing the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Chi-square test, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U test, and Kruskal–Wallis test, with a significance level set at p < ۰.۰۵.Results:  The mean score of total health literacy as well as its domains of auditory comprehension and self-management among mothers with preterm and full-term deliveries was (۳۹.۵ ± ۹.۶, ۲۷.۷± ۶.۸, ۱۱.۷ ± ۳.۴) and (۴۲.۱ ± ۸.۵۰, ۲۹.۷ ± ۶.۰, ۱۲.۳ ± ۲.۸), respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of health literacy level and exclusive breastfeeding practices (p < ۰.۰۵). In addition, maternal occupation, educational level, economic status, family support, number of pregnancies, residence, and infant growth status were significantly associated with maternal health literacy (p < ۰.۰۵).Conclusion: The results indicated that health literacy among mothers of preterm birth was lower than that of mothers with full-term birth, and this group was less likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore, developing targeted educational interventions—such as breastfeeding counseling and health literacy training focused on neonatal care—may help improve feeding behaviors and promote the health of preterm birth.

کلیدواژه ها:

Full-Term Birth ، Preterm Birth ، Exclusive breastfeeding ، Maternal Health Literacy ، mothers