Predictors of Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy in Malaysian Women: a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Mothers with better self-efficacy are tend to have intent to breastfeed, initiate early and have lengthier of exclusive breastfeeding. This study aimed to evaluate the level of breastfeeding selfefficacy and to investigate the determinants of breastfeeding self-efficacy among pregnant mothers. A total of 180 expecting mothers were recruited in this cross sectional study from chosen Maternal and Child Health Clinics in Selangor. Self-administered questionnaires of Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Score (IIFAS) and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy (BSES-SF) were used to attain information on maternal attitudes and knowledge of breastfeeding and breastfeeding self-efficacy. Findings showed subjects had high level of breastfeeding self-efficacy (mean 51.79±11.94) and majority of them had fair knowledge in breastfeeding. Breastfeeding self-efficacy is found associated with number of children, while, residential area, occupation and household income were associated with breastfeeding knowledge (p<0.05). The best-fit regression analysis revealed three variables that explained 41.0% of the variance in breast feeding self-efficacy among expectant mothers. They were being housewife, multiparous and had positive breastfeeding attitudes (p<0.05). For that reason, healthcare providers can tactically identify women vulnerable to low breastfeeding self-efficacy by providing early intervention through increasing the awareness and knowledge in breastfeeding during prenatal and antenatal.