Enhancing Breastfeeding – Home‑Based Education on Self‑Efficacy: A Preventive Strategy

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of home‑based education intervention on the exclusivity and promoting the rates of self‑efficacy of breastfeeding. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted Arak University of Medical Sciences in Takeghani Hospital in Iran between June 2015 and October 2015. A total of 130 eligible and voluntary women hospitalized in Arak University of Medical Sciences Hospital postpartum wards were randomized to receive usual care (n = 65) or education with CD and pamphlets (n = 65). Data regarding exclusive breastfeeding were collected using Denis and Fox’s breastfeeding self‑efficacy questionnaire. The primary outcome was collected by one assistant researcher during first postpartum visit. The secondary outcome was collected 4 weeks after birth of babies by telephone interviews. Data analysis was performed using descriptive (frequency, mean), independent samples t‑test, Student’s t‑test, t2‑test, and Chi‑square test. All values of P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: There was no significant differences between the intervention and control groups with regard to age (P = 0.086) and gestational age (P = 0.741). The breastfeeding self‑efficacy scores were higher in the intervention group (63.66 ± 6.11) than in the control group (57.04 ± 6.18) after 1 month of childbirth (P = 0.001). The exclusive breastfeeding rate in intervention group was 89.2 (n = 58) at 1st month after education compared with 55.4% (n = 36) in control group (P = 0.001). Conclusions: In a setting, a high breastfeeding rate and self‑efficacy scores were found in education group. Therefore, nurses and midwives are thus required to adopt various health education strategies, such as home education, encourage breastfeeding.