Breastfeeding Self-efficacy and Breastfeeding Outcomes among Tunisian Mothers Delivering in a University Hospital in Sousse (Tunisia)

Introduction: Despite the benefits of breastfeeding, neither its duration, nor its exclusivity are respected by the majority of mothers. Among the modifiable factors and sensitive to the interventions of health professionals, the self-efficacy has been recognized as the most influential to improve the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding.

Aim: We conducted this work to assess the factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding to 8 weeks and breastfeeding self-efficacy among mothers delivering in a Tunisian University Hospital.

Place and Duration of the Study: The maternity unit of the University hospital of Farhat Hached of Sousse in Tunisia during the period from 15th May to 15th June 2014 from birth to the eight postnatal weeks conducted among the mothers delivering in a Tunisian University Hospital.

Type of the Study: This is a descriptive study with longitudinal follow-up.

Methodology: Data collection has been carried out by a questionnaire including the French version of the Breastfeeding self-efficacy scale-Short Form.

Results: The mean of the breastfeeding self-efficacy score was 44.88 ± 11.74, 95% CI [46.99-50.78]. The score of breastfeeding self-efficacy was significantly associated to age (p = .003), to maternal education (p = .02), to the intention to breastfeed (p <10-3), to a previous positive experience of breastfeeding (p <10-3), to the vaginal delivery (p <10-3) and the exclusive breastfeeding at 8 weeks (p <10-3).

Conclusion: A new perspective for breastfeeding promotion focusing on major modifiable factors, mainly breastfeeding self-efficacy, is advocated to enhance breastfeeding duration and exclusivity rates in Tunisia.