Fatores relacionados à autoeficácia na amamentação no pós-parto imediato entre puérperas adolescentes

[Factors associated with breastfeeding at birth in maternity hospitals linked to the Rede Cegonha, Brazil, 2016-2017]

Breastfeeding (BF) is a human right, and it must start from birth. The adequacy of Rede Cegonha (RC) strategies can contribute to the promotion of BF. The objective was to identify factors associated with BF in the first and 24 hours of live births at full-term maternity hospitals linked to CR. Cross-sectional study with data from the second evaluation cycle 2016-2017 of the RC that covered all of Brazil. Odds ratios were obtained through binary logistic regression according to a hierarchical model, with 95% confidence intervals and p-value < 0.01. The prevalence of BF in the first hour was 31% and in the 24 hours 96.6%. The chances of BF in the first hour increased: presence of a companion during hospitalization, skin-to-skin contact, vaginal delivery, delivery assistance by a nurse and accreditation of the unit in the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Similar results at 24 hours, and association with maternal age below 20 years. BF in the first hour was less satisfactory than in the 24 hours, probably due to the high prevalence of cesarean sections, a factor associated with a lower chance of early BF. Continuous training of professionals about BF and the presence of an obstetric nurse during childbirth are recommended to expand BF in the first hour.

Emotional intelligence and stress and their relationship with breastfeeding self-efficacy in mothers of premature infants

BACKGROUND

Premature infants need to be hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for long periods of time, which can increase anxiety and stress in their mothers. Additionally, the breastfeeding rate is lower among preterm infants. This study aimed to determine stress levels and emotional intelligence in mothers of preterm infants and their relationship with breastfeeding self-efficacy.

METHODS

This descriptive-correlational study was performed with a convenience sampling of 210 mothers of premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Tabriz, Iran in 2021. Data collection tools included socio-demographic checklist, perceived stress scale (PSS14), Dennis' breastfeeding self-efficacy scale, and the Schering emotional intelligence questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 via descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and one-way ANOVA and modified general linear model).

RESULTS

Study findings demonstrated that most of the mothers had low stress (75.2%) and high breastfeeding self-efficacy (61.9%). The mean (SD) of emotional intelligence of the participants was 88.18 (16.60), ranging from 33 to 165. The results of the general linear model by modifying the demographic characteristics showed that the variables of emotional intelligence (B = 0.23, P = 0.03), stress (B=-0.56, P = 0.01), gestational age (B = 2.81, P < 0.001) and number of deliveries (B = 9.41, P < 0.001) were predictors of breastfeeding self-efficacy.

CONCLUSION

The findings showed that mothers of preterm infants had low emotional intelligence, and the majority of them had low perceived stress and high breastfeeding self-efficacy. Findings highlight the importance of addressing maternal stress and enhancing emotional intelligence to promote successful breastfeeding in mothers of preterm infants. Healthcare providers and managers are encouraged to offer support and educational programs to mothers of preterm infants, aiming to enhance their emotional intelligence. Further research and interventions focusing on these factors are warranted to improve the overall well-being of both mothers and infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.

The effect of maternal functional and postpartum depression status on breastfeeding self-efficacy of the mothers: A cross-sectional study

In this study, the researchers investigated the effect of maternal functioning and postpartum depression status on breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers. The study was conducted with 254 mothers with babies aged 2-6 months old. The total mean scores of the mothers were found to be 57.201 ± 7.612 on the breastfeeding self-efficacy scale, 8.516 ± 5.304 on the postpartum depression scale, and 74.055 ± 11.738 on the maternal functioning scale. 21.3% of mothers had a risk of postpartum depression. A negative relationship was found between breastfeeding self-efficacy and postpartum depression scores (p < 0.001), and a positive relationship was seen between breastfeeding self-efficacy and maternal functioning scores (p < 0.001). Maternal functioning and postpartum depression status were found to have a cumulative effect of 31.5% on maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy (F = 59.086 R2=0.315).