Effect of peer support on breastfeeding self-efficacy in ilamian primiparous women: A single-blind randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION: Mother's belief, ability, and self-confidence, which is interpreted as breastfeeding self-efficacy, play a key role in the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. Numerous factors affect this ability of the mother. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of peer support on breastfeeding self-efficacy in primiparous women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this clinical trial, 240 primiparous women were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The control group program included routine training, and the experimental group received counseling and training by 30 peers during the first three months after delivery. To determine breastfeeding self-efficacy, Denis's long-term breastfeeding self-efficacy questionnaire was used at the end of week 12 after delivery. Data were analyzed using SPSS software program, version 16.0 and independent t test, Chi-square test, and Mann–Whitney U test. RESULTS: The mean of breastfeeding self-efficacy score at the end of week 12 after delivery was 141.11 ± 93.4 in the experimental group versus 114.40 ± 60.16 in the control group. Then, the two groups had a statistically significant difference (P = 0.001). Also, exclusive breastfeeding in the experimental group was higher than in the control group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Peer support for primiparous women can effectively improve breastfeeding self-efficacy and continuity of exclusive breastfeeding.