The effect of midwife-oriented breastfeeding counseling on self-efficacy and performance of adolescent mothers: a clinical trial study

Background Breastfeeding behaviors are strongly influenced by self-efficacy. This research aimed to determine the effect of breastfeeding counseling based on the Ready Set Baby (RSB) education program on self-efficacy and breastfeeding performance in adolescent mothers. Methods In 2022, a parallel randomized clinical trial was carried out in Hamadan city's comprehensive health centers, involving 64 pregnant teenagers. The block randomization method was employed to divide the participants into two groups. The data collection instruments were a demographic characteristics questionnaire, a breastfeeding self-efficacy questionnaire, and the Bristol breastfeeding checklist. Three individual counseling sessions during pregnancy were conducted based on the "RSB" program. The ANCOVA was used for comparing groups. The statistical analyst was blinded to the group assignment. Results The study included 64 participants with a mean age of 16.97(1.30) years, data from 60 participants were analyzed. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the two groups were relatively similar (P > 0.05). Following the intervention, self-efficacy and breastfeeding performance scores were measured and adjusted for confounding factors. The mean scores for self-efficacy were 116.03(20.64) and 100.02(20.64) (P < 0.005), with effect size 0.77 [MD = 16.01 (95% CI: 5.34,26.67)], and the mean scores for breastfeeding performance were 6.30(2.07) and 4.12(2.07) (P < 0.002), with effect size 1.05 [MD = 2.18 (95% CI: 1.11,3.24)] in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Conclusions The Ready Set Baby education program's breastfeeding counseling for primiparous adolescent pregnant women significantly boosted their self-efficacy and performance in breastfeeding. Given the crucial role of breastfeeding in ensuring the well-being of both mother and child, further research is imperative to identify suitable and impactful interventions that can encourage breastfeeding practices among adolescents. Trial registration The trial protocol of this study has been registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials at 08/09/2021. The registration reference is IRCT20200530047596N3. Keywords: Breast feeding, Counseling, Self-efficacy, Adolescent