Poster #216 - Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy among Working Mothers in Rural Mid-West Communities

• In Event: 1-115 - Poster Session 03
  In Poster Session: PS 03 Section - Social Policy

Integrative Statement

Background
Breastfeeding offers many health benefits to an infant and a mother (Kramer et al., 2002; Gartner et al., 2005; American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP], 2005). The World Health Organization (2001) and the AAP (2005) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of an infant’s life. However, working mothers are less likely to continue breastfeeding once they return to work, especially mothers who are employed full-time (Kimbro, 2006; Ryan et al., 2006) or residing in rural communities (Hanson et al., 2003; Flower et al., 2008). Breastfeeding self-efficacy is defined as a mother’s confidence that she will be able to carry out the actions to breastfeed her infant (Blyth et al., 2002; Dennis, 1999); and is related to longer breastfeeding duration and higher exclusivity rates (Blyth et al., 2002; McCarter-Spaulding & Gore, 2009; Wutke & Dennis, 2007). This study aims to examine factors that influence the decision to breastfeed and breastfeeding self-efficacy among working rural mothers.
Methods
Participants included 31 full-time working mothers who agreed to participate in a larger study examining child care needs in rural mid-west communities (see Table 1). These women completed both interviews and surveys at two different times, in the last trimester of pregnancy (time 1) and again when their infants were 3-4 months (time 2). Data collection is still taking place. For this study, time 2 data are analyzed in terms of decisions to breastfeed and breastfeeding self-efficacy. The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF; 14 items on a 5-point Likert scale) (Dennis, 2003) was used to assess breastfeeding efficacy for those who were breastfeeding (1= not at all confident; 5=always confident). During an interview participants were asked what influenced their decision to breastfeed and to share their experiences with breastfeeding. We analyzed quantitative data and triangulated with qualitative data to provide a comprehensive description of data about mothers’ breastfeeding practice and efficacy.
Results
At time 2, preliminary analyses revealed that 71% (n=10) of working rural mothers surveyed were breastfeeding their infant. For those who were breastfeeding, there was a high level of confidence to carry out behaviors important for successful breastfeeding (M=4.30, SD=.73). Three of the four mothers who decided not to breastfeed had graduate degrees in education. Various factors influenced mothers’ decision to breastfeed their infant including mothers’ knowledge of the health benefits for infants, having breastfeeding supports such as lactation consultants, Facebook, and local breastfeeding support groups (see Table 2). While some mothers acknowledged the benefits of breastfeeding, some noted challenges. A few mothers commented that living in a rural community made it difficult to access breastfeeding support groups. One mother stopped breastfeeding after a 1 month because it was “too challenging to pump”.
Conclusions
Preliminary findings suggest that the majority of working rural mothers decide to breastfeed but also experience some challenges. Having workplace supports, such as a place to pump, was a common theme. Final results and discussions will provide implications for health professionals and clinical intervention specialists to promote breastfeeding among working mothers living in rural communities.

Authors

• Qingyu Jiang, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  Presenting Author

• Holly Hatton-Bowers, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  Non-Presenting Author

• Soo-Young Hong, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  Non-Presenting Author