Sociodemographic factors affecting breastfeeding attitudes in mothers with 0-24 months old children: Example of Central District Yozgat

Breast milk is the first natural food that contains the nutrients and energy needed in the first months of life, protects the baby against diseases and reduces infant mortality. It is recommended that babies continue to be breastfed until they are two years old. However, many negativities are often encountered in initiating or continuing breastfeeding due to reasons related to the mother, the baby's health status, and social reasons. Lack of sufficient information about the benefits of breastfeeding and mothers' intentions to breastfeed their babies are the main determinants of breastfeeding rates. Studies have shown that mothers with negative breastfeeding attitudes have higher rates of starting supplementary food or formula. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting breastfeeding attitudes by evaluating the attitudes of mothers during the breastfeeding period with the Breastfeeding Attitude Assessment Scale (BATAS). This research is a cross-sectional-descriptive study. The study was completed by face-to-face interviews with 131 mothers in Family Health Centers in Yozgat city center between January and June 2024. The mean ETDS score of the participants was found to be 118.1±16.8. No significant relationship was found between the mother's age, education status, occupation, chronic disease, medication or cigarette use, husband's age, education status, occupation, attitude towards breastfeeding, family's income level, number of children, type of birth, gender, age (months), birth weight (gr) and week of birth of the baby, time and reason for starting complementary feeding, pacifier/bottle use and the problems experienced by the mother during breastfeeding and breastfeeding attitude (p>0.05). No significant relationship was found between family type, mother's health check-up, hospital where the birth took place, baby's; It was determined that there was a significant relationship between the status of jaundice, the time of first feeding, first breastfeeding and the adequacy of the breastfeeding education received by the mother and breastfeeding attitude (p<0.05). In order to develop more positive attitudes towards breastfeeding, it is thought that the dissemination of trainings on breast milk and breastfeeding that ensure continuity for all healthcare professionals, especially primary healthcare professionals, and the community will develop more positive breastfeeding attitudes.