BREASTFEEDING SELF-EFFICACY AND PRACTICE OF MOTHERS IN THE ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This study is grounded upon Dennis’ Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Theory and Orem’s Supportive-Educative Nursing Systems Theory. It is a descriptive research aimed to determine the relationship of the mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy and their actual breastfeeding initiation, performance and maintenance. The respondents of the study were the bona fide employees of the Ateneo de Davao University. With the use of the Total Population Sampling, the researcher distributed survey questionnaires to the breastfeeding mothers in the Matina and Jacinto campuses of the University. The survey questionnaire used was comprised of three sections: (1) the demographic profile questionnaire; (2) the standardized Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale – Short Form; and (3) the researcher-made Breastfeeding Practice Survey. Results were then analyzed using the One-Way ANOVA, Independent T-test or Pearson-r with 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study show that the breastfeeding self-efficacy of the mothers have an influence to their breastfeeding performance and maintenance. However, breastfeeding self-efficacy does not influence the mothers’ initiation of breastfeeding. Furthermore, the results of the study suggest that the breastfeeding self-efficacy and practice of the mothers are not influenced by their demographic profile.