Educational Interventions to Improve Breastfeeding Self-efficacy: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objectives: Breastfeeding self-efficacy (BFSE) is considered one of the critical components of a successful breastfeeding experience. The purpose of this study was to review the educational interventions to improve BFSE. Materials and Methods: The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source, PubMed, EMBASE, Social Science Research Network, SCOPUS, Health and Psychosocial Instruments, PsycINFO, Mosby’s Nursing Skills, SID, Magiran, Google Scholar, Iran Medex, and Iran Doc databases were searched. Eligible articles were published from January 2000 until December 2019. Two independent reviewers conducted data extraction and relevance screening. Results: Out of 287 studies, 25 of them were eligible for review. Modalities of interventions were summarized into three types: Visual aids (e.g., booklets, pamphlets, handouts, posters, and movies), verbal education (e.g., instruction by health providers, peer educators, group educational sessions, or small group and face-to-face education), and telephone support. Conclusions: Interventions included procedures specifically had offered for increasing maternal BFSE. The findings demonstrate the importance of designing educational programs to improve mothers’ BFSE.