Social Support and Self Efficacy Towards Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is the ideal food for infants, with social support and self-efficacy being essential for the continuation of exclusive breastfeeding. This study aimed to assess the levels of social support and self-efficacy towards exclusive breastfeeding among mothers attending the MCH clinic in Bheri Hospital, Nepalgunj, Lumbini Province, Nepal.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study, based on a quantitative approach, was conducted among 153 exclusively breastfeeding mothers using non probability purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the Exclusive Breastfeeding Social Support Scale (EBSSS) and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) tools. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 21.
Results: The study found that more than half (56.2%) of respondents experienced low social support for exclusive breastfeeding Median 45 (IQR 26-49), and half (50.3%) had low self-efficacy Median 60 (IQR 15-70). A majority (63.4%) initiated breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. The level of social support was significantly associated with breastfeeding frequency (p=0.01). Similarly, self-efficacy had a significant association with breastfeeding frequency (p=0.01) and prelacteal feeding (p=0.04). A significant statistical association also existed between the level of social support and the level of self-efficacy (p<0.001).
Conclusions: Respondents demonstrated low social support and low self-efficacy for exclusive breastfeeding. The findings highlighted a significant statistical association between these two crucial factors. This study suggests that there is higher need for increasing social support and self-efficacy to promote exclusive breastfeeding.
Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding; self-efficacy; social support.