International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-78021162020070522712271ENMedical School, Traditional and Complementary Medicine Center (TCMRC), Arak University of Medical Sciences, ArakNursing Midwifery School, Arak University of Medical Sciences, ArakNursing Midwifery School, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak20200705<p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Background</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of home‑based education intervention on the exclusivity and promoting the rates of self‑efficacy of breastfeeding.<br /></span></p><p><strong><span class="fontstyle0">Materials and Methods: </span></strong><span class="fontstyle2">A randomized controlled trial was conducted Arak University of Medical Sciences in Takeghani Hospital in Iran between June 2015 and October 2015. A total of 130 eligible and voluntary women hospitalized in Arak University of Medical Sciences Hospital postpartum wards were randomized to receive usual care (</span><span class="fontstyle3">n </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 65) or education with CD and pamphlets (</span><span class="fontstyle3">n </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 65).<br />Data regarding exclusive breastfeeding were collected using Denis and Fox’s breastfeeding self‑efficacy questionnaire. The primary outcome was collected by one assistant researcher during first postpartum visit. The secondary outcome was collected 4 weeks after birth of babies by telephone interviews. Data analysis was performed using descriptive (frequency, mean), independent samples </span><span class="fontstyle3">t</span><span class="fontstyle2">‑test, Student’s </span><span class="fontstyle3">t</span><span class="fontstyle2">‑test, </span><span class="fontstyle3">t</span><span class="fontstyle2" style="font-size: 5pt;">2</span><span class="fontstyle2">‑test, and Chi‑square test. All values of </span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">&lt; 0.05 were considered statistically significant. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">There was no significant differences between the intervention and<br />control groups with regard to age (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.086) and gestational age (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.741). The breastfeeding self‑efficacy scores were higher in the intervention group (63.66 ± 6.11) than in the control group (57.04 ± 6.18) after 1 month of childbirth (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.001). The exclusive breastfeeding rate in intervention group was 89.2 (</span><span class="fontstyle3">n </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 58) at 1</span><span class="fontstyle2" style="font-size: 5pt;">st </span><span class="fontstyle2">month after education compared with 55.4% (</span><span class="fontstyle3">n </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 36) in control group (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.001).</span></p><p><strong></strong><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">In a setting, a high breastfeeding rate and self‑efficacy scores were found in education group. Therefore, nurses and midwives are thus required to adopt<br />various health education strategies, such as home education, encourage breastfeeding.</span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Keywords</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Breastfeeding, education, postpartum, reproductive health, self‑efficacy</span></p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2271http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2271/717718108