. Leila Rasaei; . Tahmine Dadkhah Tehrani; . Zeinab Heidari
Volume 13, Issue 2 , February 2023, , Pages 1-8
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that psycho‑spiritual state of mothers may havesignificant effects on their breastfeeding. The most common cause of nonexclusive breastfeeding ...
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BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that psycho‑spiritual state of mothers may havesignificant effects on their breastfeeding. The most common cause of nonexclusive breastfeeding isinadequate breastfeeding; therefore, this study examined the relationship between spiritual healthand perceived stress with breastfeeding adequacy in mothers with infants aged 1–6 months.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‑sectional, descriptive, correlational study was performedon 186 mothers with infants aged 1–6 months, who referred to the health centers in Dorud city ofLorestan province, Iran, in 2021, which were selected based on cluster sampling. Data were collectedthrough four questionnaires including demographic–fertility, spiritual health, perceived stress, andbreastfeeding adequacy. Data was analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)software version 22 using descriptive and analytical statistics.RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) values of spiritual health, perceived stress, andbreastfeeding adequacy were 99.59 ± 12.96, 23.8 ± 72.19, and 55.67 ± 7.67, respectively. There wasa significant positive relationship between spiritual health and breastfeeding adequacy (P < 0.001,r = 0.268). In addition, there was a significant negative relationship between perceived stress andbreastfeeding adequacy (P = 0.002, r = −0.231).CONCLUSION: Breastfeeding adequacy has a significant positive relationship with spiritual health anda significant negative relationship with perceived stress. Since infants are one of the most vulnerablegroups and breastfeeding is the best way to support their health and reduce infant mortality rates,breastfeeding adequacy can be improved by reducing stress and promoting spiritual health.
