Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding in the Second Month after Birth in Turkey: The Role of Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy

Abstract Background: The decline in breastfeeding rates with exclusive breast milk in the second month postpartum is an important situation we have encountered. This requires consideration of the relationship with prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the role of prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy in exclusive breastfeeding in the second -month postpartum in Turkey. Methods: This is an analytical, cross-sectional study. The study sample comprised 312 women, who met the inclusion criteria of the study. The Descriptive Characteristics Form, Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Postnatal Interview Form were used. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Chi-square test, and Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons (p?0.05). Results: The mean Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale total score of the women was 74,11±12,39 (minimum-maximum: 19,00-95,00). Among the subscale scores of the Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, the highest was the "desire" subscale score, which was 39.05±5.85. In the 2nd month after birth, the rate of mothers who were exclusively breastfeeding their babies was 87.5% (n=273). There was no significant difference in terms of mean Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale scores between women who exclusive breastfeeding their babies in the second month and women who did non-exclusive breastfeeding (p=0,14). The mean Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale score of women who exclusively breastfeed their babies in the second month was 71,00±11,63. The mean Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale scores of women who had previous breastfeeding experience (p=0.003) were significantly higher. Statistically significant differences were found in a type of infant nutrition between the age (p=0.023) and income (p=0.036) of women. Conclusion: The study showed that prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy was not a decisive factor for exclusive breastfeeding in the second month after birth. Women who did not exclusively breastfeed their babies in the 2nd month postpartum had lower PBSS scores. In addition, , women who already have experience with breastfeeding have higher breastfeeding self-efficacy. Therefore, midwives and nurses should encourage and support women to breastfeed. Further studies are needed to determine whether prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy is related to breastfeeding behavior. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2024; 38(3): 00-00] Keywords: Breastfeeding, mother?s milk, postpartum period, self-efficacy