Effect of health literacy-based education on the self-efficacy of primiparous breastfeeding women: a randomized controlled trial.
4 affiliations
- 1Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- 2Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- 3Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- 4Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Despite the well-documented benefits of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding rates remain suboptimal globally. This study aimed to assess the impact of a health literacy-based educational intervention on breastfeeding self-efficacy among primiparous women.Methods
A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 77 primiparous pregnant mothers in Chalus, Iran. Participants were allocated to an intervention group (n = 38) receiving a structured education program via Skyroom and WhatsApp, or a control group (n = 39) receiving routine care. Breastfeeding self-efficacy was assessed using the BSES-SF questionnaire at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at three and six weeks postpartum. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 with chi-square, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney, and mixed model tests.Results
At baseline, the groups had similar self-efficacy scores (intervention: 40.84 ± 10.62 vs. control: 38.07 ± 7.52, p = 0.264). The intervention group demonstrated a significantly greater increase in self-efficacy immediately post-intervention (61.57 ± 5.05 vs. 45.01 ± 6.76; p < 0.0001), and this significant difference was maintained at three weeks (58.47 ± 5.44 vs. 48.23 ± 7.14; p < 0.0001) and six weeks (57.47 ± 5.31 vs. 49.48 ± 6.59; p < 0.0001) post-intervention.Conclusion
A health literacy-based education program significantly improved breastfeeding self-efficacy in primiparous women. This approach, particularly when delivered via accessible digital platforms, shows promise as an effective strategy to promote exclusive breastfeeding.
Related
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- The impact of group prenatal care on breastfeeding: A planned secondary analysis of the CRADLE randomized controlled trial.
BibTeX
@article{shahhosseini2026effect,
title = {{Effect of health literacy-based education on the self-efficacy of primiparous breastfeeding women: a randomized controlled trial.}},
author = {Zohreh Shahhosseini and Negin Kalvani and Roya Nikbakht and Malihe Nourollahpour Shiadeh},
journal = {BMC pregnancy and childbirth},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12884-026-09724-8},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958120},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effect of health literacy-based education on the self-efficacy of primiparous breastfeeding women: a randomized controlled trial.
AU - Zohreh Shahhosseini
AU - Negin Kalvani
AU - Roya Nikbakht
AU - Malihe Nourollahpour Shiadeh
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/01
JO - BMC pregnancy and childbirth
DO - 10.1186/s12884-026-09724-8
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958120
AB - Background Despite the well-documented benefits of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding rates remain suboptimal globally. This study aimed to assess the impact of a health literacy-based educational intervention on breastfeeding self-efficacy among primiparous women.Methods A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 77 primiparous pregnant mothers in Chalus, Iran. Participants were allocated to an intervention group (n = 38) receiving a structured education program via Skyroom and WhatsApp, or a control group (n = 39) receiving routine care. Breastfeeding self-efficacy was assessed using the BSES-SF questionnaire at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at three and six weeks postpartum. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 with chi-square, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney, and mixed model tests.Results At baseline, the groups had similar self-efficacy scores (intervention: 40.84 ± 10.62 vs. control: 38.07 ± 7.52, p = 0.264). The intervention group demonstrated a significantly greater increase in self-efficacy immediately post-intervention (61.57 ± 5.05 vs. 45.01 ± 6.76; p < 0.0001), and this significant difference was maintained at three weeks (58.47 ± 5.44 vs. 48.23 ± 7.14; p < 0.0001) and six weeks (57.47 ± 5.31 vs. 49.48 ± 6.59; p < 0.0001) post-intervention.Conclusion A health literacy-based education program significantly improved breastfeeding self-efficacy in primiparous women. This approach, particularly when delivered via accessible digital platforms, shows promise as an effective strategy to promote exclusive breastfeeding.
SN - 1471-2393
ER -