Effect of Midwife-led Breastfeeding Counseling based on Bandura's Model on Self-efficacy and Breastfeeding Performance: An Educational Trial Study

Abstract

Aim: Breastfeeding Counseling in order to increase Breastfeeding Performance. Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is a policy for increasing children's survival and decreasing the illnesses of children all over the world. Objectives: The present study investigated the effect of Midwife-led Breastfeeding Counseling based on Bandura's Model on Self-efficacy and Breastfeeding Performance. Methods: The present study was an educational trial with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. 60 women in the intervention group received 4 session group counseling program based on Bandura's theoretical structures during pregnancy. After that, the second stage of the study was conducted between 1-3 days and 10-15 days after childbirth using the face-to-face method to meet the needs and concerns of mothers about breastfeeding. The control group received no counseling program and only received routine health care. Results: showed that the awareness means in the intervention group was 25.6 and in the control group, it was 21.1, which showed a significant increase in the intervention group. In addition, it was indicated that the mothers' self-efficacy increased by 18 units in the intervention group and decreased by 1 unit in the control group after the intervention. Findings showed that the attitudes of the intervention group increased by 11 units, and 4 units in the control group after the intervention. 54 mothers in the intervention group and 17 mothers in the control group only used breastfeeding for their babies. Conclusion: Breastfeeding self-efficacy is an appropriate theoretical model to perform interventions and should be considered to prolong breastfeeding and better performance.