Maternal Psychosocial Factors Affecting Breast Feeding Practice

Yeo, Jung Hee

doi:2007.13.3.149

Korean J Women Health Nurs > Volume 13(3); 2007 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2007;13(3):149-156.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2007.13.3.149

Maternal Psychosocial Factors Affecting Breast Feeding Practice

Jung Hee Yeo

Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Korea. jheeyeo@cheju.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aimed to elucidate the prevalence of breast feeding and maternal psychosocial predictors affecting the breast feeding practice at six months postpartum. METHOD: One hundred and sixty one mothers at six months postpartum were conveniently recruited in two public health center in Jeju-city. Subjects completed a well-structured questionnaire regarding the feeding types of the child, maternal self-esteem, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), husband support, and marital adjustment scale. The data was analyzed using the chi-square-test, t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and logistic regression. RESULT: The prevalence of breast feeding at six months postpartum was 29.9%. Predictors of breast feeding practice identified by the logistic regression analysis include first feeding type after delivery, marital adjustment, readiness for maternal role and work state.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of breast feeding practice was lower than WHO desired at six months postpartum. Therefore, the findings support the need for breast feeding education including interventions focused on improving readiness for maternal role and marital adjustment.

Key Words: Breast feeding; Self-concept; Postpartum depression; Support; Marital relationship