An estimation of the effect of finding nurses helpful on early breastfeeding exclusivity mediated via breastfeeding self-efficacy, using a counterfactual approach and G-computation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for at least the first six months of life, however in South Africa only 32% of mothers are exclusively breastfeeding to six months and discontinuation happens early. Nurses are a key resource for promoting breastfeeding self-efficacy and thus exclusivity, yet mothers often report nurses to have poor attitudes, which deter health seeking behaviour. This study aimed to infer whether perceived support from nurses immediately postpartum was causally related to breastfeeding exclusivity, and specifically whether this effect was mediated via breastfeeding self-efficacy.

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited mothers from two community clinics in Soweto and collected data on breastfeeding practices, breastfeeding self-efficacy

SUBMITTER: Prioreschi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12750716 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature