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Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes and Self-efficacy in Relation to Intention to Exclusively Breastfeed Among Pregnant Women in Rural Bangladesh

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Abstract

Achieving optimal exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) remains a challenge. Because intention is a precursor of practice, we examined factors associated with EBF intention during pregnancy in two rural sub-districts of Kishoreganj district, Bangladesh. We studied 2,400 pregnant women in their third trimester (26–32 weeks gestation). We assessed knowledge (6 items, scale range 0–6), attitudes (15 items, scale range 15–75) and self-efficacy (6 items, scale range 6–30) by interview using a standardized questionnaire. 83.9 % of pregnant women reported EBF intention. Mean breastfeeding knowledge was 3.5 (SD 1.3), mean attitude was 55.8 (SD 8.1) and mean self-efficacy was 25.6 (SD 3.4). Knowledge was associated with EBF intention (OR 2.47, 95 % CI 1.74, 3.51), attitudes toward EBF (OR 1.68, 95 % CI 1.31, 2.16) and self-efficacy (OR 1.72, 95 % CI 1.23, 2.40) were independently associated with EBF intention in the model in which all three constructs were entered simultaneously. Receipt of breastfeeding counseling during pregnancy and being literate were each associated with EBF knowledge and EBF intention (all p < 0.05). Increasing maternal knowledge, positive attitudes, and self-efficacy regarding EBF were associated with prenatal EBF intention. These results reinforce the importance of appropriate counseling to increase EBF prevalence .

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Acknowledgments

This study was embedded in CARE’s community based initiative to improve infant and young child feeding and nutritional outcomes, known as “Akhoni Shomay” or Window of Opportunity, in Bangladesh. We would like to thank the field staff and team leads in Bangladesh. We thank the staff of the International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease, Bangladesh and CARE Bangladesh. We thank the women for their participation. This study was supported by a grant from CARE USA.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd NE, Room 7007, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Joan S. Thomas, Elaine A. Yu, Aatekah Owais & Aryeh D. Stein

  2. CARE USA, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Joan S. Thomas, Noor Tirmizi & Benjamin Schwartz

  3. CARE Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Shahed Rahman

  4. International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Sumon K. Das & A. S. G. Faruque

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  1. Joan S. Thomas
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Correspondence to Aryeh D. Stein.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table 5.

Table 5 Receipt of counseling and information during pregnancy from NGO staff among 2,400 women in Kishoreganj District, Bangladesh, by sub-district and data collection waves
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Thomas, J.S., Yu, E.A., Tirmizi, N. et al. Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes and Self-efficacy in Relation to Intention to Exclusively Breastfeed Among Pregnant Women in Rural Bangladesh. Matern Child Health J 19, 49–57 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-014-1494-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-014-1494-z

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