The Effect of Antenatal Education Based on the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Theory and Postpartum Follow-Up Counseling on Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and Attitudes in Adolescent Pregnant Women

NCT07025265 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: THESIS-2025-001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Adolescence is the period between the ages of 10 and 19, during which individuals undergo physiological, biological, psychological, and social development, transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Pregnancies occurring during this period are defined as adolescent pregnancies. In developing countries, approximately 21 million adolescent pregnancies occur annually among individuals aged 15-19, resulting in around 12 million births. According to national demographic data, a certain percentage of adolescent women have already started childbearing. Pregnancies occurring during this stage, when physical and psychosocial development is still incomplete, bring various medical and social challenges. Adolescent pregnancies are associated with increased maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity risks and are classified as high-risk pregnancies. Therefore, adolescent mothers require close follow-up during both the antenatal and postpartum periods. However, studies indicate that adolescent mothers often fail to attend regular antenatal check-ups, receive inadequate education on breastfeeding, and consequently feel unprepared for motherhood. They tend to have low breastfeeding self-efficacy and develop negative attitudes toward breastfeeding. In the postpartum period, they also experience difficulties in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding. Research highlights the need for education and counseling for adolescent mothers during the antenatal and postpartum periods. Providing education on breastfeeding is particularly important for improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Current approaches to breastfeeding counseling involve face-to-face training provided by healthcare professionals in medical institutions, as well as various alternative methods such as home visits, online/web-based education portals, theory-based training, text messages, emails, and phone consultations. In breastfeeding counseling, it is essential to not only provide education but also ensure continuous follow-up. Monitoring the process is expected to increase adolescent mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy, foster positive attitudes toward breastfeeding, and extend the duration of breastfeeding. This study aims to assess the effects of antenatal education based on the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Theory and postpartum follow-up counseling on adolescent mothers' breastfeeding attitudes and self-efficacy. By enhancing their breastfeeding self-efficacy and attitudes, this study is expected to contribute to resolving challenges related to early initiation and continuation of breastfeeding in the postpartum period.

Conditions

Adolescent Pregnancy; Breastfeeding; Self-Efficacy

Keywords

Adolescent Mothers; Breastfeeding Counseling; Prenatal Education; Postpartum Follow-Up; Lactation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Score

  The primary outcome will be assessed using the Postpartum Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (PBSES-SF). This scale evaluates maternal confidence in breastfeeding, with higher scores indicating higher breastfeeding self-efficacy.

  Baseline (before intervention), Postpartum Week 4

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate at Postpartum Week 4

  Postpartum Week 4

Other Outcomes (1)

• Maternal Satisfaction with Breastfeeding Support

  Postpartum Week 4

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group (Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy-Based Education and Counseling)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive breastfeeding self-efficacy theory-based antenatal education and postpartum follow-up counseling. The education will be provided during the antenatal period, followed by weekly reminder and encouragement text messages until birth. Postpartum, participants will receive home visits in the first week for counseling and follow-up calls in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks.

Behavioral: Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy-Based Education and Counseling

Control Group (Routine Perinatal Care)

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group will receive standard perinatal care without additional breastfeeding education or counseling. Postpartum data will be collected in the 4th week via a follow-up phone call.

Interventions

Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy-Based Education and Counseling BEHAVIORAL

his intervention consists of breastfeeding self-efficacy theory-based education provided during the antenatal period. The education covers key factors affecting maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy, including previous experiences, vicarious learning, social support, and psychological responses. Weekly reminder and encouragement text messages will be sent until birth. Postpartum follow-up includes a home visit in the first week for counseling and phone-based follow-ups in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks.

Intervention Group (Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy-Based Education and Counseling)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 15 Years - 19 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adolescent pregnant individuals (ages 14-19)
• Singleton pregnancy
• Gestational age of at least 28 weeks at enrollment
• Planning to breastfeed postpartum
• Willing to participate in antenatal education and postpartum follow-up counseling
• Able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.)
• Maternal or fetal conditions contraindicating breastfeeding (e.g., galactosemia)
• Severe maternal complications (e.g., preeclampsia with severe features, placenta previa with bleeding)
• History of previous breastfeeding difficulties or conditions affecting lactation (e.g., breast surgery)
• Psychiatric disorders that may interfere with participation
• Inability to complete follow-ups due to planned relocation or other reasons

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi: lead

Study Sites (1)

Harran Unıversity

Sanliurfa, Şanlıurfa, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Breast Feeding

Interventions

Counseling

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Feeding Behavior; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Health Services; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Community Health Services; Health Services; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services

Central Study Contacts

Hatice N Özgen, PhD Candidate in Nursing

CONTACT

+905054944088; ozgenhnur6@gmail.com

Gülşah KÖK, Assist. Prof.

CONTACT

+90 505 802 48 37; gulsah.kok@sbu.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Candidate in Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing

Model Details: This study follows a parallel interventional model where adolescent pregnant women are assigned to either the intervention group, receiving breastfeeding self-efficacy theory-based antenatal education and postpartum follow-up counseling, or the control group, receiving routine perinatal care. Outcomes related to breastfeeding self-efficacy and attitudes are compared between groups.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 9, 2025
• First Posted: June 17, 2025
• Study Start: February 21, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2025
• Study Completion: August 1, 2025
• Last Updated: June 17, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)