THE FACTORS INFLUENCING A FOUR WEEK EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG FIRST-TIME ADOLESCENT MOTHERS

Abstract

The descriptive study aims to investigate the power of breastfeeding intention, breastfeeding self-efficacy, postpartum depression, family support, and infants’ effective suckling at discharge to predict four-week exclusive breastfeeding among first-time adolescent mothers. Sample consisted of 130 first-time adolescent mothers aged 10 to 19 years at the postpartum ward of Saraburi Hospital and Phra-Phuttabat Hospital in Saraburi Province. Data were collected between August and November 2016 using a set of questionnaires (a demographic characteristics questionnaire, a breastfeeding intention questionnaire, a breastfeeding self-efficacy scale-short form, the center for epidemiologic studies-depression scale, a family support of breastfeeding questionnaire, an infants’ effective suckling assessment form, and an infant feeding record form). The Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficients of a breastfeeding self-efficacy scale-short form, the center for epidemiologic studies-depression scale, a family support of breastfeeding questionnaire were reported at 0.93, 0.92 and 0.82, respectively. The Inter-rater Reliability of an infants’ effective suckling assessment form was 0.87. Data were analyzed using descriptive, and inferential statistics.

The findings revealed that breastfeeding intention, breastfeeding self-efficacy, postpartum depression, family support, and infants’ effective suckling at discharge could together predict a four-week exclusive breastfeeding by 12.1% (R₂ = 0.121, p < .05). However, breastfeeding intention was the only variable that could statistically and significantly predict a four-week exclusive breastfeeding (OR = 1.535, 95% CI = 1.053-2.238, p < .05).

The findings suggested that nurses should prepare mothers for breastfeeding to foster intention of ensuring the four-week exclusive breastfeeding after childbirth and encourage family members to support breast feeding.