Abstract

OBJECTIVE

This study was carried out to compare perception of breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers with healthy and sick children.

METHODS

The study was carried out as descriptive. The population of the study was composed of 62 mothers for healthy infants who agreed to work and had 0-1-month-infant and applied Şükrüpaşa Family Health Center and 63 mothers for sick infants who agreed to work and treated as a boarder in Yakutiye Research Hospital and had 0-1-month-infant, between February-April 2013.In the study, the method of sample was not made all the universe were included in the sample. The data were collected via informative features form prepared by the researchers and by using Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale.

RESULTS

In the study, 89.6% of mothers were housewives, 54.4% of whom were primary school graduates, 61.6% of whom had middle income. It was found that breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers with healthy infants (55.48±9.87) was higher than breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers with sick infants (52.25±7.85) and the difference between them was found to be significant statistically (p<0.05). Furthermore, it was found that mothers who had higher education and better economic level, and breastfeeding her baby only and were assisted in the area of postpartum breastfeeding and baby care appropriately had higher breastfeeding self-efficacy perceptions (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

As a result, breastfeeding self-efficacy showed a significant difference for mothers with healthy and sick infants. Furthermore, it is recommended to know effective breastfeeding, breastfeeding techniques, frequency and duration of breastfeeding for the provision of adequate and effective breastfeeding.