Examining the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy of Mothers Diagnosed with COVID-19

Objective: It is an important issue to determine the effects and health behaviors of mothers and babies, who are among the vulnerable groups, in particular situations that affect the perceptions and orientations of societies in many dimensions, such as the pandemic. The present study was carried out in order to investigate the breastfeeding-related knowledge and practices of mothers diagnosed with COVID-19 and their breastfeeding self-efficacy. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out on mothers diagnosed with COVID-19 and having a baby aged between 0 and 24 months. Data were obtained through a questionnaire form including participants' descriptive characteristics and the breastfeeding self-efficacy scale: short form, administered through telephone interviews. Results: The study included participants with a mean age of 29.39±5.34 years, of whom 86% resided in urban/rural centers. The average number of pregnancies was 3.46±2.34, and the average number of living children was 2.80±1.79. The percentage of mothers who continued to breastfeed their babies after being diagnosed with COVID-19 was 73.9%. The mean score of breastfeeding self-efficacy in the study group was 54.4±7.2, and the average scores of breastfeeding self-efficacy for mothers who continued to breastfeed after being diagnosed with COVID-19 were significantly higher. Conclusion: In this study, it was determined that mothers with high breastfeeding self-efficacy scores continued breastfeeding after COVID-19 diagnosis.