Application and validation of Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale – Short Form (BSES - SF) in adolescent mothers

Abstract

Objectives: Check the reliability and validity of Breastfeeding SelfEfficacy Scale - Short Form (BSES-SF) in Brazilian adolecent puerperal mothers who have recently given birth; and evaluate the association of scores of the BSES-SF with the socioeconomic and obstetric variables of the studied population. Methods: Methodological and quantitative study developed in a public maternity in Fortaleza involving 79 adolescent puerperal mothers. The BSES-SF and a form with socioeconomic and obstetric variables were used. Data were analyzed using the SPSS program, considering the Cronbach’s Alpha (α) as a measure of reliability, and Pearson’s correlation, with significance of 5%. Results: The BSES-SF is a reliable and valid measure (α = 0.807). The teenagers proved to be confident about the practice of breastfeeding (56.15 points). Only education level showed significant association with maternal self-efficacy of adolescents in breastfeeding (p = 0.032). Conclusion: The BSES-SF is a safe and effective tool in the detection of self-efficacy of adolescent mothers in breastfeeding, favoring their assistance in the process of breastfeeding and, hence, the reduction of early weaning.