title: The behavioral determinants of breast-feeding in The Netherlands: predictors for the initiation of breast-feeding.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavioral determinants of the initiation of breast-feeding at birth. The prospective cohort study used the attitude, social influence, self-efficacy (ASE) model in 373 pregnant women in five child health care centers. Prenatally, 72% of the women had the intention to breast-feed, and 73% actually started with breast-feeding at birth. Mothers who initiated breast-feeding differed in almost all the attitude, social influence, and self-efficacy determinants from others who initiated formula feeding. Intention was a very strong predictor of the initiation of breast-feeding. The components of the ASE model predicted the initiation of breast-feeding. Hence, the results may be used to tailor future interventions aimed at promoting breast-feeding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Els J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kools
authors.forename: Carel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thijs
authors.forename: Hein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Vries
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D009426:Netherlands; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires