| Introduction: Due to the importance of breastfeeding, we decided to conduct a study to examine the relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy and quality of life.
Materials and methods:This study was a cross-sectional study, which was carried out on 547
breastfeeding mothers that had 2–6 months old infants. The participants were selected
randomly, and the sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, Dennis’ breastfeeding selfefficacy scale, and WHO’s Quality of Life (WHOQOL) questionnaire were completed through interview. The multivariate linear regression model was used for data analysis.
Findings:The means (standard deviations) of breastfeeding self-efficacy score and quality of life
score were 134.5 (13.3) and 67.7 (13.7), respectively. Quality of life and all of its dimensions were
directly and significantly related to breastfeeding self-efficacy. According to the results of multivariate linear regression analysis, there was a relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy
and the following variables: environmental dimension of quality of life, education, spouse’sage,
spouse’s job, average duration of previous breastfeeding period and receiving breastfeeding
training.
Discussion and conclusion:Findings showed that there is direct and significant relationship
between breastfeeding self-efficacy and quality of life. Moreover, it seems that the development
of appropriate training programs is necessary for improving the quality of life of pregnant
women, as it consequently enhances breastfeeding self-efficacy. |