LEARN Lao PDR - Masters thesis: Self efficacy in exclusive Breastfeeding among mothers in Xaythany District

Masters thesis: Self efficacy in exclusive Breastfeeding among mothers in Xaythany District, Vientiane capital, Lao PDR.

ABSTRACT

Exclusive breastfeeding is the most efficacious form of infant feeding for the first six months of life. Many mothers in diverse countries prematurely discontinue breastfeeding and Lao mothers are not the exception. Maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy has been highlighted as an important psychometric factor for improving breastfeeding outcomes. However, self-efficacy in exclusive breastfeeding has not been extensively studied in Laos. As such, this study was carried out to assess self-efficacy and related factors on exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Xaythany District, Lao PDR.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to April 2019. A sample of 151 mothers who have children under 12 months and living in Xaythany district agreed to participate in this study. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews with the mothers using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the STATA program. Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, and multiple logistic regressions were used.

The average total score from the "taken BSES-SF" was determined as 56.52 ± 8.22, min = 31, max = 70. The multiple logistic regression model showed that the variance of the number of times attended ANC (p<0.05), mothers learning the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding (p<0.001), maternity leave (p<0.01) and the mothers’ expectation to breastfeed exclusively (p<0.05) had statistically significant relationships with breastfeeding self-efficacy.

Exclusive breastfeeding self-efficacy amongst a sample of women in Xaythany district, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR was influenced by ANC services, antenatal exclusive breastfeeding education, mother’s working status and mother’s expectation to exclusively breastfeed. The findings of this study showed the need to support antenatal exclusive breastfeeding education for mothers during pregnancy, especially the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding in an opportunity to improve their knowledge, attitude, expectation and exclusive breastfeeding self- efficacy.