Effectiveness of Instructional Environment and Related Factors on Breastfeeding Function of Mothers

Breastfeeding has the main role in the health of mothers and infants, and the instruction of mothers is essential in this context. This project aimed at comparing the effectiveness of instructional environment (Hospital versus Home) and other related factors to breastfeeding of mothers in hospital with home in Gonabad city. In this quasi-experimental study, the research sample included 162 mothers who were admitted to 22 Bahman hospital of Gonabad, they were residents of Gonabad and were divided into two groups randomly. One group was instructed with instructional package of film in hospital and another group was instructed by the same package at home. The data were analyzed through SPSS software version 11.5 applying descriptive statistics, independent t-test and ANOVA at the 0.05 level of significance. The results of this research showed that the highest percentage of research units constitute mothers who were 30-45 years of age (40.7%), were residents of the city (74.7%), had a personal house (75.9%) and had more than one child (55.6%). After instruction, there were significant statistical differences between the averages of total grades of breastfeeding function of mothers on the basis of location of residence (p<0.001), location of instruction (p=0.04), education (p=0.006) and age (p=0.01) so that breastfeeding function was better in mothers who were residents of the city, were instructed at home, had higher education and were older. The results showed that instructional package of WHO film at home had more effects on breastfeeding function of mothers in comparison to hospital setting. Mothers were more relaxed at home, complications after delivery decreased and the condition of learning was better.