Promotion of breastfeeding self-efficacy through a group education session: Randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: to assess the effect of the group education strategy based on the use of the flipchart “I can breastfeed my child” in promoting breastfeeding self-efficacy. Method: a clinical trial was developed with 208 postpartum women, randomly distributed between the intervention and control group. The intervention consisted in the application of the flip chart “I can breastfeed my child” during a group session at the rooming-in service. The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale – Short Form was used to measure the self-efficacy scores during the monitoring period (rooming-in, 15 days after birth and monthly until 120 days). Results: a higher percentage of women with high breastfeeding self-efficacy was found during the monitoring period in the intervention group (p=0.002) and higher average self-efficacy scores in this group during the monitoring period (p<0.05). Conclusion: the use of the flip chart during a group session modified or reinforced the mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy -Registration number: RBR-6srs33.