The effects of a breastfeeding self-efficacy intervention on short-term breastfeeding outcomes among primiparous mothers in Wuhan, China

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Jie Hu, Associate Professor (Creator)
Thomas McCoy, Statistician (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Aims To evaluate the effects of a breastfeeding intervention on primiparous mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding duration and exclusivity at 4 and 8 weeks postpartum. Background Few studies have examined the effects of breastfeeding self-efficacy on improved breastfeeding outcomes among primiparous mothers in China. Design An experimental pre-test and posttest, two-group design was used in the study. Methods A total of 74 participants were recruited to the study from a tertiary hospital in central China, from June–October 2012. An individualized, standardized nursing intervention based on the Self-Efficacy Theory was delivered to enhance mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding duration and exclusivity at 4 and 8 weeks postpartum. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention or referent group. Participants in the intervention group received three individualized, self-efficacy-enhancing sessions. Participants in the referent group received standard care. Results Participants in the intervention group showed significantly greater increases in breastfeeding self-efficacy, exclusivity and duration than participants in the control group at 4 and 8 weeks postpartum (except for duration at 4 weeks). High baseline breastfeeding self-efficacy predicted higher breastfeeding self-efficacy later and more exclusive breast-feeding. Conclusion The findings in this study suggest that intervention aimed at increasing self-efficacy has a significant impact on maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and short-term breastfeeding outcomes.

Additional Information

Publication
Language: English
Date: 2014
Keywords
breastfeeding duration, breastfeeding exclusivity, breastfeeding self-efficacy, China, primiparous mothers, self-efficacy, self-efficacy intervention, self-efficacy theory, short-term breastfeeding outcomes

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