Autoeficácia na amamentação, sintomas de ansiedade e fatores associados

Abstract

This study aims to identify self-efficacy in breastfeeding in postpartum women and the association with symptoms of anxiety and other factors. This is a quantitative and cross-sectional study carried in 2018, in the university hospital of Minbas Gerais, Brazil, out with 264 postpartum women, using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Most participants showed high self-efficacy in breastfeeding (57.6%), associated with the variable “having a partner”. However, 42.4% had average or low self-efficacy, reinforcing the need to intensify health education strategies by professionals who accompany women in the pregnancy-puerperal cycle. An association between state-anxiety and a lower level of self-efficacy in breastfeeding was also found. The state of anxiety stands out as detrimental to self-efficacy in breastfeeding.