The Relationship between health literacy and breastfeeding self-efficacy

Introduction: According to the goals of the global nutrition policy, by ۲۰۲۵, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding by the end of ۶ months should reach at least ۵۰%. Different ways to achieving this goal has been mentioned(۱). One of the solutions to reach for this purpose, focusing on the factors affecting breastfeeding of mothers and its obstacles. Among the positive factors is mother's knowledge (Health literacy) about the advantages of breastfeeding, the existence of system support, good social and economic status and self-efficacy breastfeeding pointed out. Breastfeeding self-efficacy is the mother's perceived ability to breastfeed is a child(۲). On the other hand, health literacy is the capacity of a person to acquire Interpretation is the understanding of basic information and health services(۳). Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between health literacy and breastfeeding self-efficacy.Methodology: Data collection was done by searching Scopus, Science Direct, Magiran, Elsevier and Google Scholar and PubMed search engines. A total of ۱۶ articles were found, of which ۱۱ were analyzed.Results: The results of data analysis showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between health literacy and breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers(P<۰.۰۵). Also, the frequency of mothers who exclusively breastfed their children until the end of ۶ months was higher in mothers with a higher health literacy score.Discussion and conclusion: The results of this study were consistent with the results of other studies that health literacy has a positive effect on breastfeeding self-efficacy (۴). In fact, mothers with a higher level of health literacy have a higher chance of success in breastfeeding. Therefore, it is necessary and important that health and treatment systems use trained health care workers to increase the level of health literacy of young women and pregnant mothers. Among the educational methods that can be mentioned are the use of images, texts, educational videos in the form of mobile software or holding educational classes. This helps women to be aware of and maintain their health and thus improve the outcomes of pregnancy as well as the continuation of breastfeeding.

Keywords:

breastfeeding , self- efficacy and health literacy