Abstract
BackgroundThe Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form is a reliable instrument to measure mother's confidence in her ability to breastfeed. The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form has traditionally been used postnatally, but evidence suggests that it can be used antenatally to identify mothers at-risk of requiring additional support to improve breastfeeding outcomes. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the psychometric characteristics of an antenatal version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form, among pregnant Portuguese women. DesignMethodological prospective study to examine the psychometric characteristics of the antenatal Portuguese version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form. SettingsTwo public hospital units in the Northern Portugal. ParticipantsThe sample was comprised of 373 pregnant women recruited at 30–34 gestational weeks. MethodsThe original English version of the antenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form was translated into Portuguese and the Portuguese antenatal version of the scale was tested in a sample of 373 pregnant women. To examine the psychometric characteristics of the Portuguese antenatal version of the scale, the maternal demographic variables and the depressive and anxiety symptomatology of the participants were examined. The predictive validity of the Portuguese antenatal version of the scale was studied according to infant feeding method at one, three, and six months postpartum. ResultsThe Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.92. The antenatal version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form scores were found to be associated with women's parity, educational level, occupational status, time they intend to breastfeed, and previous breastfeeding experience. Also, the antenatal version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form scores significantly predicted exclusive breastfeeding at 1 month postpartum. ConclusionsResults provided evidence that the antenatal Portuguese version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form is a valid and reliable measure to assess breastfeeding self-efficacy in pregnant women. The antenatal version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form could be a useful tool to assist Portuguese health professionals during routine prenatal care appointments to screen women with lower antenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy and, consequently, those that could be at risk for not initiating or early breastfeeding cessation.
Highlights
Breastfeeding is consistently associated with both maternal and child well being
The original English version of the antenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form was translated into Portuguese and the Portuguese antenatal version of the scale was tested in a sample of 373 pregnant women
The antenatal version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form could be a useful tool to assist Portuguese health professionals during routine prenatal care appointments to screen women with lower antenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy and, those that could be at risk for not initiating or early breastfeeding cessation
Summary
Breastfeeding is consistently associated with both maternal and child well being. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2003), the EuropeanCommission for Public Health (Cattaneo et al, 2005; Cattaneoet al., 2010) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (Gartner et al, 2005) all recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, despite high rates of breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity rates at six months postpartum remain low and a long-standing problem.Midwifery 66 (2018) 49–55In Portugal, the Breastfeeding Registration Report of the DirectorateGeneral of Health (DGS) reports that 98.6% of women initiate breastfeeding but only 76.7% are exclusively breastfeeding at hospital discharge. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric characteristics of an antenatal version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form, among pregnant Portuguese women. Design: Methodological prospective study to examine the psychometric characteristics of the antenatal Portuguese version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form. The antenatal version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form scores significantly predicted exclusive breastfeeding at 1 month postpartum. Conclusions: Results provided evidence that the antenatal Portuguese version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form is a valid and reliable measure to assess breastfeeding self-efficacy in pregnant women. The antenatal version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form could be a useful tool to assist Portuguese health professionals during routine prenatal care appointments to screen women with lower antenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy and, those that could be at risk for not initiating or early breastfeeding cessation
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