Breastfeeding Myths and Influencing Factors in Married Women
Öz
Background/Aims: Breastfeeding myths in married women are thoughts and beliefs without any scientific basis that prevent full breastfeeding, especially in the first six months of life. To determine breastfeeding myths and influencing factors in married women.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted between May 1 and July 1, 2024, at XXX University Research and Application Hospital Polyclinics. The study included 576 married women over the age of 18 who applied to the polyclinics for any reason, were literate, and volunteered to participate. Data were collected using a "Descriptive Information Form" and the "Breastfeeding Myths Scale (BMS)." Permission was obtained from the XXX University Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee (Date: 20.03.2024; Decision No: 12/21).
Results: The mean age of the participants was 39.30±14.10 years. Of the women, 30.9% were between the ages of 25-34, 24.8% were high school graduates, 62.9% were unemployed, and 70.8% were from nuclear families. Additionally, 38.4% had three or more children, 27.4% had vaginal deliveries, 74% had breastfeeding experience, and 45.7% received support while breastfeeding. The mean BMS score was 81.64±21.62. Socio-demographic and obstetric variables such as age, educational status, employment status, perceived income status, number of pregnancies, number of living children, number of live births, number of vaginal deliveries, and breastfeeding experience significantly affected breastfeeding myths (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between BMS scores and family type, place of residence, number of cesarean deliveries, or receiving support while breastfeeding (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The study found that married women have breastfeeding myths, although their level of belief in these myths is low. Sociodemographic and obstetric variables such as age, educational status, number of live births, number of vaginal deliveries, and breastfeeding experience significantly affect breastfeeding myths. It is recommended to raise awareness among married women about breastfeeding myths and their potential harms.
Anahtar Kelimeler
breast milk, breastfeeding, myths, breastfeeding myths, woman
Destekleyen Kurum
None.
Proje Numarası
Yoktur.
Etik Beyan
Research Ethics Approval for the study conducted at Yozgat Bozok University, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, was obtained from the Ethics Board (Date: 20.03.2024; Decision No: 12/21). Institutional approval from Yozgat Bozok University Research and Application Hospital was also obtained from the Chief Physician (Date: 29.04.2024; Number: 1692). Additionally, informed consent was obtained from all women participating in the study, and all principles of the Declaration of Helsinki were followed in the research.
Teşekkür
We thank all the women who participated in the study.
Kaynakça
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