Prevalence and Predictive Factors for Exclusive Breastfeeding at Six Months among Thai Adolescent Mothers

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in the first six months of life is the best and the most frequent choice for infants since it has important benefits for the infants and their mothers. However, the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Thailand remains low, especially among adolescent mothers. This predictive correlation study aimed to investigate factors predicting breastfeeding at six months among 253 Thai adolescent mothers from nine hospitals of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Data were collected by using seven questionnaires: the Personal Characteristics, Pregnancy Intention and Breastfeeding Practice, Perceived Benefits of Breastfeeding, Perceived Barriers to Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, Family Support, Maternity Care Practice, and Digital Technology Literacy Questionnaires. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The findings revealed that the prevalence of EBF at six months among Thai adolescent mothers was only 17.39%, and predictive factors were occupation (work/study) (p = 0.034), digital technology literacy (p < 0.001), family support (p = 0.021), pregnancy intention (p = 0.001), breastfeeding self-efficacy (p = 0.016), and perceived benefits of breastfeeding (p = 0.004). These factors could, together, predict the EBF rate at six months among Thai adolescent mothers in 42.2% (Nagelkerke R-2 = 0.422) of the cases. These findings may help health professionals to develop activities and strategies for promoting exclusive breastfeeding by increasing breastfeeding self-efficacy, perceived benefits of breastfeeding, and family support, as well as improving digital technology skill among Thai adolescent mothers, especially student/employed adolescents who have unintended pregnancies.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the predictive factors for exclusive breastfeeding among Thai adolescent mothers within the first six months. The findings revealed that the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at six months among Thai adolescent mothers was only 17.39%, and factors such as occupation, digital technology literacy, family support, pregnancy intention, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and perceived benefits of breastfeeding were found to predict the exclusive breastfeeding rate.