[ID 35476] AUTOEFICÁCIA NO ALEITAMENTO MATERNO EM ADOLESCENTES DO NORTE BRASILEIRO

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the self - efficiency of breastfeeding among adolescent mothers, treated at a child - friendly hospital in the city of Belém. Materials and methods: Descriptive, cross - sectional, quantitative study. Participants were adolescents between 13 and 19 years of age, that answered a socioeconomic questionnaire, had obstetric history and responded to the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale short-form at four months postpartum. Neonates with gestational age above 36 weeks and birth weight> 2,500 g, uninterrupted births and patients that, at the time of hospital discharge, were exclusively breastfed, were included. Results: The results showed a high self-efficiency in breastfeeding 81.66% and showed that the adolescents feel confident in the act of breastfeeding. Conclusion: This leads us to the conclusion that adolescents have high efficiency in breastfeeding, proving that even when they are of low age, they are aware of the importance of breastfeeding for their babies. By using this scale, there is the opportunity to know the reasons that contribute to early weaning. DESCRIPTORS: breastfeeding. Self-efficiency. Adolescents.