Postpartum depression and maternal self-efficacy for breastfeeding: Prevalence and association

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence of postpartum depression symptoms and the level of self-efficacy to breastfeed among puerperal women assisted at a Breastfeeding Incentive Center, and to analyze possible associations. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 208 women up to 60 days postpartum submitted to the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale and the Self-Efficacy Scale for Breastfeeding. Results: Postpartum depression symptoms were present in 31.25% of women who presented medium (39.9%) and high (36.06%) levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy. The medium or high self-efficacy decreased the depression score by 27.4% or 38.8% respectively, while the high score on the postpartum depression scale reduced the self-efficacy score in breastfeeding by 11.84 points. Conclusion: The high prevalence of postpartum depression symptoms and self-efficacy for breastfeeding were evident in the studied population. The levels of postpartum depression symptoms and self-efficacy revealed a cause and effect association between themselves.