Applicability of Theory of Planned Behavior in understanding Breastfeeding Intention of Postpartum Women

Abstract

Background: Health professionals currently use fact-based approaches to promote breastfeeding behaviour amongst women in Kenya. This practice only imposes messages to women without considering their opinions and beliefs posing a challenge to optimal breastfeeding behaviour.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify factors that would influence the breastfeeding intention to practise optimal breastfeeding behaviour of postpartum women in maternity wings.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study based on the adapted and modified model from Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour was utilized. Proportionate stratified sampling was used to select 220 respondents out of 1,520 women from the sampled maternity wings. A structured questionnaire was used to collect interview responses from women with one day old infant(s) from the maternity wings.

Findings: Attitude significantly influences breastfeeding intention to practise optimal breastfeeding behaviour (β=0.86, p<0.001, n=220); and direct perceived behavioural control slightly influences breastfeeding intention to practise optimal breastfeeding (β=0.07, p<0.05, n=220.

Research implications: More variations of results could be gained through a wider coverage of respondents. Other factors such as descriptive characteristics and perceived usefulness should be used to increase the explanatory power of the dependent variable. A comparison of the same study of explanatory power between other intention-based model could give another valuable contribution.