Background: Although challenges in breastfeeding are more common in mothers of preterm infants, maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy is a modifiable factor that may improve breastfeeding rates.
Objective: To evaluate the factors affecting breastfeeding self-efficacy among mothers with preterm babies.
Design: A cross-sectional study.
Methods: This study was carried out using a double-stage cluster sampling method. In total, 360 mothers of preterm infants under 6 months of age were included. Data were collected using sociodemographic characteristics, Breastfeeding Self-efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF), multiple scales of perceived social support, and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress questionnaires.
Results: The results showed social support (15.6%), depression (12.2%), anxiety (11%), and stress (12.2%) contributed independently, and together they explained 25% of the variance in BSES-SF. The higher levels of social support (β = 0.283), lower levels of mental health problems (β = -0.340), having breastfeeding experience (β = -0.253), and higher gestational age at birth (β = 0.106) were significantly related to the high level of BSES-SF.
Conclusion: These findings can help healthcare providers be aware of effective factors in improving breastfeeding self-efficacy. Increased access to counselors, active support for mothers after preterm labor, and increased support facilities for mothers with preterm delivery may be helpful to improve breastfeeding self-efficacy.
Keywords: breastfeeding; mental health; preterm infants; self-efficacy; social support.
Can the status of social support and psychological factors of women with preterm babies affect their breastfeeding efficiency?Why we did this study: There is little evidence of current factors affecting breastfeeding self-efficacy among mothers of preterm infants in Iran.What we wanted to learn: We wanted to know, if there is a relationship between perceived social support and the mental health of mothers with preterm babies, their self-efficacy, and their sense of breastfeeding ability. Additionally, we investigated the impact of other socio-demographic factors.What we did: We asked mothers of preterm infants to complete breastfeeding self-efficacy, perceived social support, and depression, anxiety, and stress questionnaires.What we learned: We found that Iranian mothers of preterm infants had very low rates of breastfeeding self-efficacy. Factors associated with breastfeeding self-efficacy included higher levels of social support, lower levels of mental health problems, previous breastfeeding experience, and higher gestational age at birth. Support and education are needed for mothers of preterm infants and their families to facilitate breastfeeding.