Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD in Health Education, Department of public health, School of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.

2 BS student, Department of Health Education and Promotion, Faculty of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran,

3 BS student, Department of Health Education and Promotion, Faculty of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 PhD student of Health Education, Department of Health Education and Promotion, Faculty of Health, Isfahan University of Medical ciences, Isfahan, Iran

5 MS of Biostatistics, Lecturer, 1 Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

6 MA of English Language and Anesthesia, Lecturer, Department of General Courses, Office of Educational, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding depends on social and cultural conditions of societies. Behavior,Attitude,
Subjective Norms, Enabling Factors (BASNEF) model is one of the comprehensive models of
behavior study, especially in developing countries. This study was performed to investigate the
status of breastfeeding during the first two years of infants’ life and its risk factors through BASNEF
model structures. Materials and Methods: In this cross‑sectional descriptive‑analytical study, 406
mothers with 6-24‑month‑old babies were selected by multistage cluster sampling method. The data
were collected using a questionnaire with five sections based on the BASNEF model structures.
Demographic characteristics of the studied population were also recorded and analyzed using
Chi‑square tests and analysis of variance in SPSS18 statistical software. Results: The prevalence of
breastfeeding was 86.4% (351 mothers). Three hundred and thirty three mothers (82%) had good
knowledge and there was a significant relationship between knowledge and breastfeeding behavior
of mothers (P < 0.05). Two hundred and eighty five mothers (70.2%) had good and very good
attitude in this regard. There was no significant relationship between attitude and breastfeeding
behavior of mothers (P > 0.05). There was a significant relationship between breastfeeding behavior
of mothers and subjective norms of husbands, mother and mother‑in‑law (P < 0.05); however, no
significant relationship was found with regard to enabling factors (P > 0.05). Moreover, no significant
relationship was observed between type of children nutrition and variables of delivery mode,
maternal age and number of children (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In addition to knowledge of nursing
mothers, supports and encouragement of husbands, mothers and mother‑in‑laws, as subjective
norms of behavior, have a positive impact on
the breastfeeding behavior of mothers. Thus,
breastfeeding programs should pay more
attention to the role of these mentioned factors.

Keywords

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