HIGHLIGHTS
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Assess maternal self-efficacy to promote exclusive breastfeeding.
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Low maternal self-efficacy for care indicates weaknesses in her confidence.
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Assessing maternal self-efficacy makes it possible to promote exclusive breastfeeding.
ABSTRACT
Objective:
to assess maternal self-efficacy for the care of premature newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit and after hospital discharge and relate it to the duration of breastfeeding at home.
Method:
longitudinal study that used self-efficacy assessment scales of 38 mothers of premature newborns in the period from November 2020 to January 2022 in the city of Cascavel - PR - Brazil. Data analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results:
Maternal self-efficacy during hospitalization turned out to be high, remaining so in the assessment after discharge. Self-efficacy for breastfeeding had no statistically significant differences during hospitalization (p=0.335) and after discharge (p=0.640). However, mothers with high self-efficacy in hospitalization and at home maintained exclusive breastfeeding longer.
Conclusion:
Identifying maternal self-efficacy should be a routine in nursing clinical practice during hospitalization and after discharge, to enhance the maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding.
DESCRIPTORS:
Breast Feeding; Infant, Premature; Self Efficacy; Neonatal Nursing; Mothers