Postpartum depression and maternal self-efficacy for breastfeeding: prevalence and association/Depressão pós-parto e autoeficácia materna para amamentar: prevalência e associação

• Published in: Acta paulista de enfermagem Vol. 29; no. 6; p. 664
• Main Authors: Abuchaim, Erika de Sá Vieira, Caldeira, Nathalia Torquato, Di Lucca, Marina Moraes, Varela, Maite, Silva, Isília Aparecida
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sao Paulo Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Enfermagem 01-11-2016
• Subjects: Self-efficacy
• ISSN: 0103-2100; 1982-0194
• DOI: 10.1590/1982-0194201600093

To identify the prevalence of postpartum depression symptoms and the level of self-efficacy to breastfeed among puerperal women assisted at a Breastfeeding Incentive Center, and to analyze possible associations. A cross-sectional study with 208 women up to 60 days postpartum submitted to the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale and the Self-Efficacy Scale for Breastfeeding. Postpartum depression symptoms were present in 31.25% of women who presented medium (39.9%) and high (36.06%) levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy. The medium or high self-efficacy decreased the depression score by 27.4% or 38.8% respectively, while the high score on the postpartum depression scale reduced the self-efficacy score in breastfeeding by 11.84 points. The high prevalence of postpartum depression symptoms and self-efficacy for breastfeeding were evident in the studied population. The levels of postpartum depression symptoms and self-efficacy revealed a cause and effect association between themselves.