Objective: To explore the similarities and differences in infant feeding intentions, knowledge, attitudes, and perceived behavioral control over breastfeeding among pregnant adolescents based on how they were fed as infants: breast milk, formula, or unknown feeding.
Design: Descriptive comparative study. The theory of planned behavior guided this study, which is part of a larger on-going study.
Setting: Recruitment occurred in multiple prenatal clinics in a Midwestern U.S. city.
Subjects: 113 primagravid adolescents, 15-18 years old, completed the modified Breastfeeding Prediction Attrition Tool during their second trimester of pregnancy.
Results: One-way ANOVA indicated teens who were breastfed as infants had significantly stronger intentions to breastfeed compared to those fed with formula (F=9.10, P<.05). That group also had significantly higher breastfeeding perceived behavioral control scores (BFC) compared to the other groups (F=6.77, P < .05). No significant differences were found in breastfeeding knowledge or attitude scores.
Implications: The results support other previous research. The higher BFC and intention scores suggested that teens who were breastfed as infants felt more in control over breastfeeding behavior and were more committed to breastfeeding their own infant. The findings also suggested that family members and role modeling may influence teens’ intention to breastfeed. Health care providers should recognize that breastfeeding intention may be an important indicator for a breastfeeding decision when counseling teens during pregnancy. Having family or significant others help teens to feel positive about breastfeeding may also support a breastfeeding decision. To reach the Healthy 2010 breastfeeding goals, teens need support from all health care providers, family, and community.
Session #1182 - Post Partum & Care of Infants
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)