The Effect of Breastfeeding Training Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior on the Continuation of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Drug-Dependent Mothers: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Considering the low rate of exclusive breastfeeding in mothers using drugs and the role of behavioral intention as one of the effective factors on breastfeeding, the present study aimed to determine the impact of breastfeeding training based on the theory of planned behavior on the continuation of exclusive breastfeeding in drug-dependent mothers.

This clinical trial was performed in three hospitals of Mashhad in 2018. To this end, 52 drug-abusing mothers were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The intervention protocol consisted of four separate training sessions with an emphasis on the theory of planned behavior. The follow-up process was performed 2 and 4 months after delivery, and the theory of planned behavior and breastfeeding continuity questionnaire was completed accordingly. Data were analyzed by the SPSS (version 16) using the independent t test and chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Friedman, and Wilcoxon tests.

Two months after delivery, 88.5% and 3.8% of mothers of the intervention and control groups performed exclusive breastfeeding while this rate was 65.4% and 0.0% four months after delivery, respectively. The results of the chi-square test showed a significant difference between the two groups at 2 and 4 months (P<0.001). Two months after delivery, the average score of maternal performance on the continuation of exclusive breastfeeding was 91.8±9.2 and 50.8±24.5 in the intervention and control group although it was 89.0±8.7 and 31.0±15.9 4 months after delivery, respectively. Based on the results of the Wilcoxon test, significant differences were found between the groups after 2 and 4 months (P<0.001). Eventually, the average score of all constructs of the planned behavior theory improved immediately after the intervention, and 2 and 4 months after delivery in the intervention group (P<0.001).

Thus, the implementation of breastfeeding training based on the theory of planned behavior is recommended for drugdependent mothers to continue exclusive breastfeeding.