Evaluation of the relationship between breastfeeding perceptions and self-efficiency of mothers and their breastfeeding status who applied to a family health center

Introduction and Objective: Breast milk is a natural nutrient with high bioavailability that supports the healthy growth and development of newborns. Breastfeeding offers numerous psychological, social, developmental, and economic benefits for both mother and baby. In this study, I aimed to evaluate the breastfeeding self-efficacy levels, perceptions toward breast milk, and breastfeeding status of mothers who applied to a family health center. Additionally, I aimed to examine the relationship between these variables and identify the influencing factors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted between September 1 and December 31, 2024, at Sakarya Family Health Center in the Bağlar district of Diyarbakır, Türkiye. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a Descriptive Data Form, the Perception of Breast Milk Scale (PBMS), and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27.0. Results: The mean PBMS score of the 614 participating mothers was 125,13±17,15, and the mean BSES-SF score was 55,24±9,15. Higher PBMS scores were found among mothers with higher education levels (p<0.001), those employed as civil servants (p=0.015), and those who delivered by cesarean section (p=0.016). Mothers who breastfed their infants had significantly higher PBMS (p=0.013) and BSES-SF (p<0.001) scores. Initiating breastfeeding within the first 30 minutes postpartum was associated with higher BSES-SF scores (p=0.015). Mothers receiving spousal support had higher BSES-SF scores (p<0.001), and those receiving family support had higher PBMS (p<0.001) and BSES-SF (p=0.010) scores. Interestingly, mothers who did not exclusively breastfeed for the first six months had higher PBMS (p<0.001) and BSES-SF (p<0.001) scores. Additionally, mothers who received breastfeeding information from the family health center or delivery hospital had higher BSES-SF scores (p=0.040). A positive correlation was found between the age at first delivery and PBMS scores (r=0.099; p=0.014). Negative correlations were observed between the number of children (r=−0.126; p=0.002), the longest breastfeeding duration (r=−0.117; p=0.017), and PBMS scores. The age at which complementary feeding was initiated was positively correlated with both PBMS (r=0.089; p=0.030) and BSES-SF (r=0.188; p<0.001) scores. A significant positive correlation was also found between PBMS and BSES-SF scores (r=0.418; p<0.001). The internal consistency of the scales was high, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.941 for the PBMS and 0.922 for the BSES-SF. Conclusion: An increase in mothers' perceptions toward breast milk was significantly associated with higher breastfeeding self-efficacy levels. Mothers who practiced proper breastfeeding had higher levels of both perception and self-efficacy. To improve breastfeeding self-efficacy, practical and continuous breastfeeding counseling services should be expanded in family health centers. Keywords: Breast milk, Breastfeeding, Self-efficacy, Perception, Primary health care