Reliability and Validity of the Greek Version of the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale Among Pregnant Women

INTRODUCTION: A modifiable factor related to breastfeeding is breastfeeding attitudes. The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS) is used to evaluate this factor. Although the breastfeeding rates in Greece are declined there is not available any validated instrument to evaluate infant feeding attitudes. AIM: to determine the psychometric properties of the Greek adaptation of the IIFAS in a sample of pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pregnant women (N=203) from a University Hospital in Athens, Greece, were administered the Greek version of the IIFAS, while being in hospital, and their infant feeding mode at six months postpartum was recorded by telephone. The reliability of the scale was assessed by using corrected item-total correlations and Cronbach’s alpha. Construct validity of the scale was assessed by using confirmatory factor analysis and predictive validity by using t-tests. Multiple linear regression analyses in a stepwise method (p for removal was set at 0.1 and p for entry was set at .05) was performed in order to find variables independently associated with IIFAS total score. RESULTS: The mean IIFAS score was 70.0 (SD=7.6). The corrected item-total correlation ranged from 0.22 to 0.51. Cronbach’s alpha was equal to 0.71. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated an adequate fit of the one-factor model. Concerning the predictive validity of IIFAS it was significant for breastfeeding at six months. The mean IIFAS score was significantly greater (p=0.001) for women that had exclusive breastfeeding at six months (mean (SD): 68.4(6.6)) as compared with those that did not (mean (SD): 64.0(7.5)). Higher IIFAS scores were found in older women, with higher educational level and in those that had breastfed children in their social environment. CONCLUSION: The Greek version of the IIFAS demonstrated satisfying reliability and validity for measuring women’s infant feeding attitudes in the Greek context. Also, the results of the present study provide further evidence of the international applicability of the IIFAS.