A Systematic Review of Instruments Measuring Family and Social Support of Breastfeeding Mothers

Abstract

Background: Due to low rate of breastfeeding among working mothers and of interventions to increase duration of breastfeeding, this systematic review conducted to evaluate psychometric properties of instruments measured mother’s perception of Breastfeeding Support. Materials and Methods: The search was carried in English language databases including Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, Cochran library and Web of Science since inception to March 2018 regarding published studies evaluating psychometric properties of Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy. The COSMIN checklist was used to assess quality of related studies. Results Authors of Perceived Breastfeeding Support Assessment Tool’ (PBSAT) suggested that instrument seem to should be two workplace environmental for breast-feeding working mother and the available social environmental for working mothers. Total Cronbach's alpha was 0.85. In exclusive breastfeeding social (EBFSS) instrument, based on exploratory factor analysis, 16 items grouped into three instrumental, emotional and informational factors accounted 66% of total variance. EFA were followed by confirmatory analysis showed Modified model was partially fitted to data. In Workplace Breastfeeding Support Scale (WBSS), EFA identified four dimensions of breastfeeding at workplace. These four labeled technical support, breastfeeding-friendly environment, facility support and peer support. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.77 and split-half reliability was r=0.86. In Employee Perceptions of Breastfeeding Support Questionnaire (EPBS-Q), data scaled by Multidimensional Random Coefficients Multinomial Logit Model. A two-dimensional model (company polices/work culture and manager and her co-workers) were emerged. Cronbach’s alpha was excellent (almost 0.90). Conclusion: Four instruments found to assess breastfeeding was valid and reliable to measure breast feeding in social and workplaces.