Breast feeding self-efficacy and other determinants of the duration of breast feeding in a cohort of first-time mothers in Adelaide, Australia.
OBJECTIVE
to assess the ability of a Breast-Feeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES) score measured at 1 week postpartum to predict the duration of breast-feeding in first-time mothers, and to develop a minimal set of potential confounders, including the BSES and demographic variables, for comparing the apparent effect of other influences on the duration of breast-feeding.


METHODS
a prospective cohort study, with primary outcome the duration of breast feeding up to 6 months postpartum.


METHODS
317 women who had given birth to their first baby (at term) in a large teaching maternity hospital in Adelaide, South Australia, during the period March to November, 2003.


RESULTS
the BSES at 1 week postpartum was a strong predictor of the duration of breast-feeding in these first-time mothers. Its ability to predict the duration of breast-feeding was largely independent of the other factors (intended duration of breast-feeding, mother's level of education, country of birth, housing situation, smoking status and method of delivery), which were also found to be significant predictors of breast-feeding duration.


CONCLUSIONS
the BSES (including a new short form version) has been confirmed by our study as an important instrument for identifying women at risk of early cessation of breast-feeding. Together with other demographic variables, it should be useful for targeting limited resources to those most in need.
Baghurst
Peter
P
Public Health Research Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, Children, Youth and Women's Health Service, Adelaide, South Australia. Peter.Baghurst@cywhs.sa.gov.au
Pincombe
Jan
J
Peat
Brian
B
Henderson
Ann
A
Reddin
Edith
E
Antoniou
Georgia
G
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020377:Self Efficacy