Publication date: Feb 15, 2025

Breastfeeding self-efficacy refers to mother perceived ability to breastfeed her infant and is an effective variable in breastfeeding duration. Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits for both mothers and infants, but working mothers face unique challenges that can impact breastfeeding initiation and duration. The present study was conducted to determining the effectiveness of an educational intervention based on self-efficacy theory on continuation of Breastfeeding in employed mother that referred to comprehensive health service centers in Bandar Abbas. The present quasi-experimental had a pre-test, post-test design with 3, 6 months follow-ups was conducted in Bandar Abbas city, south of Iran in December 2021-January 2023. A total of 176 women who had given birth at least 6 months before and were on maternity leave (88 in the intervention group (IG), 88 in the control group (CG)), using a two-stage cluster sampling method participated. The educational intervention focused on self-efficacy theory implemented in 13 sessions. The educational methods in the training sessions were through virtual sessions via WhatsApp (twice a week, an hour was given to exchange information and answer questions) and in-person sessions lasting 50 to 60 min (any longer than this would be tiring) in the form of lectures, focus group discussions, and questions and answers. The main outcome was to increase breastfeeding self-efficacy and continual breastfeeding behavior after coming back to work. Repeated measures ANOVA tests and post hoc were run to compare the IG and CG at baseline in terms of demographic variables, t-test and chi square test, and in the three points of time of data collection. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 25 and descriptive statistical tests, independent t test, paired t test and repeated measures analysis. In this study the self-efficacy and Breastfeeding behavior score in the intervention group (42. 26 +/- 8. 25) were higher than in the control group (52. 016 +/- 6. 68) and had significant difference between the two groups (p 

Open Access PDF

Semantics

Original Article