Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 62. No. 1, 2023.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2023.62.01.06
Parental Breastfeeding Behavior and Attitude Questionnaire
Marija Čatipović
; Marija Čatipović Specialist Pediatric Clinic, Bjelovar, Croatia
Josip Grgurić
; UNICEF Office in Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
Rajko Fureš
; Zabok General Hospital and Croatian Veterans Hospital, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Zabok, Croatia; Osijek Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Institute of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery, Osijek, Croatia
Zlatko Hrgović
; Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Ivana Jelašić
; Bjelovar General Hospital, Bjelovar, Croatia
Dora Fureš
; Split School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia (student)
Abstract
A validated questionnaire is required to evaluate scientifically community-based
breastfeeding support and promotion. The aim of this study was to create a valid and reliable questionnaire
to measure parents’ behavior and attitudes about breastfeeding. The items in the questionnaire
were selected by the authors according to regular data from the professional literature, and in consultation
with three pediatric lecturers at higher and secondary health education, fellow pediatricians, and
parents. A working version of the questionnaire was available on the website of the For a Healthy and
Happy Childhood association from February 1, 2019 to May 31, 2019. The study was approved by
the Ethics Committee of the Bjelovar General Hospital. After item analysis, 15 behavioral questions
that showed good internal consistency were retained. Concerning the attitudes, principal component
analysis showed a four-factor structure with 17 items explaining 46.11% of total variance. Cronbach’s
alpha (0.88) indicated acceptable internal consistency. To analyze the ability of the questionnaire to
differentiate parents according to the desired outcome, the χ2-test, correlation and logistic regression
were used. In the study, the desired outcome was defined as exclusive breastfeeding for 5 or 6 months,
as well as breastfeeding for 12 months or more. In conclusion, the final instrument is reliable and valid
for collecting breastfeeding data and evaluating changes in parents’ behaviors and attitudes achieved
through participation in breastfeeding promotion and support programs. The questionnaire may, in
addition to the BIAKQ questionnaire, support professionals and activists involved in breastfeeding to
create methodologically well-conceived programs.
Keywords
Breastfeeding questionnaire; Validity; Reliability
Hrčak ID:
307137
URI
Publication date:
1.4.2023.
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