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Journals / Mersin Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi / 2025 / Cilt: 18 Sayı: 3

Determining the relationship between breastfeeding myths and infant feeding intentions among pregnant women and the influencing factors

Gebelerin emzirme mitleri ile yenidoğanı besleme niyeti arasındaki ilişkinin ve etkileyen faktörlerin belirlenmesi

Sultan Özkan Şat(BITLIS EREN UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-9951-4073
Ayçin Çifçi(BITLIS EREN UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-9834-6426
Pages
424–436
Publication Date
2025-12-22
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Results: It was found that 99.7% of the participants had a low level of belief in breastfeeding myths, while 50.6% had a very strong intention to exclusively breastfeed during the first six months.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aim: The aims of the study were determine the relationship between pregnant women's beliefs in breastfeeding myths and their intention to feed their newborns, as well as the factors that influence this relationship.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with a sample of 312 pregnant women.
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Conclusion & Impact:Results: It was found that 99.7% of the participants had a low level of belief in breastfeeding myths, while 50.6% had a very strong intention to exclusively breastfeed during the first six months.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Emzirme · besleme yöntemi · gebelik

Abstract

Aim: The aims of the study were determine the relationship between pregnant women's beliefs in breastfeeding myths and their intention to feed their newborns, as well as the factors that influence this relationship. Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with a sample of 312 pregnant women. Data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form, the Breastfeeding Myths Scale (BMS), and the Infant Feeding Intentions Scale (IFI-T). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to analyze the data. Results: It was found that 99.7% of the participants had a low level of belief in breastfeeding myths, while 50.6% had a very strong intention to exclusively breastfeed during the first six months. Regression analysis revealed that moderate relationship between the BMS score and the model consisting of educational level, employment status, income level, family type, number of pregnancies, and whether the participant had received breastfeeding-related information. A weak relationship was found between the IFI-T score and the model including BMS, education level, employment status, miscarriage status, and whether the participant had received breastfeeding-related information (p<0.001). Conclusion: Belief in breastfeeding myths negatively affects the intention to exclusively breastfeed newborns. Receiving information about breastfeeding is associated with both beliefs in breastfeeding myths and the intention to breastfeed. Addressing breastfeeding myths within breastfeeding education programs may contribute to increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates.

Özet

Amaç: Gebelerin emzirme mitleri ile yenidoğanı besleme niyeti arasındaki ilişkinin ve etkileyen faktörlerin belirlenmesidir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı ve ilişki arayıcı tipte olan bu araştırmanın örneklemi 312 gebeden oluşmaktadır. Araştırma verileri Tanıtıcı Bilgi Formu, “Emzirme Mitleri Ölçeği (EMÖ)” ve “Yenidoğanı Besleme Niyeti Ölçeği (IFI-T)” ile toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde çoklu doğrusal regresyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Gebelerin % 99.7’si düşük düzeyde emzirme mitlerine sahip iken % 50.6’sı çok güçlü düzeyde ilk altı ay sadece anne sütü ile besleme niyetindedir. Regresyon analizi sonuçlarına göre; eğitim düzeyi, çalışma durumu, gelir düzeyi, aile tipi, gebelik sayısı ve emzirme ile ilgili bilgi alma durumu değişkenlerinden oluşan model ile EMÖ puan ortalaması arasında orta düzeyde; EMÖ, eğitim düzeyi, çalışma durumu, düşük yapma durumu ve emzirme ile ilgili bilgi alma durumu değişkenlerinden oluşan model ile IFI-T puan ortalaması arasında zayıf düzeyde bir ilişki tespit edilmiştir (p<0.001). Sonuç: Emzirme mitlerine sahip olmak yenidoğanı anne sütü ile besleme niyetini olumsuz etkilemektedir. Emzirme ile ilgili bilgi almış olmak hem emzirmeye yönelik mitler hem de yenidoğanı besleme niyeti ile ilişkilidir. Emzirme mitlerinin emzirme eğitimlerinde ele alınması anne sütü ile beslenme oranını artırmaya katkı sağlayabilir.

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Cite This Article

Şat, S. Ö., Çifçi, A., *, S. Ö. Ş. (2025). Determining the relationship between breastfeeding myths and infant feeding intentions among pregnant women and the influencing factors. Mersin Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 18 Sayı: 3, 424–436. https://doi.org/10.26559/mersinsbd.1706869

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