Breastfeeding status during the first two years of infants' life and its risk factors based on BASNEF model structures in Isfahan

Breastfeeding depends on social and cultural conditions of societies. Behavior,Attitude, Subjective Norms, Enabling Factors (BASNEF) model is one of the comprehensive models of behavior study, especially in developing countries. This study was performed to investigate the status of breastfeeding during the first two years of infants' life and its risk factors through BASNEF model structures.

In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, 406 mothers with 6-24-month-old babies were selected by multistage cluster sampling method. The data were collected using a questionnaire with five sections based on the BASNEF model structures. Demographic characteristics of the studied population were also recorded and analyzed using Chi-square tests and analysis of variance in SPSS 18 statistical software.

The prevalence of breastfeeding was 86.4% (351 mothers). Three hundred and thirty three mothers (82%) had good knowledge and there was a significant relationship between knowledge and breastfeeding behavior of mothers ( P < 0.05). Two hundred and eighty five mothers (70.2%) had good and very good attitude in this regard. There was no significant relationship between attitude and breastfeeding behavior of mothers ( P > 0.05). There was a significant relationship between breastfeeding behavior of mothers and subjective norms of husbands, mother and mother-in-law ( P < 0.05); however, no significant relationship was found with regard to enabling factors ( P > 0.05). Moreover, no significant relationship was observed between type of children nutrition and variables of delivery mode, maternal age and number of children ( P > 0.05).

In addition to knowledge of nursing mothers, supports and encouragement of husbands, mothers and mother-in-laws, as subjective norms of behavior, have a positive impact on the breastfeeding behavior of mothers. Thus, breastfeeding programs should pay more attention to the role of these mentioned factors.