Home⇛Mindoro Journal of Social Sciences and Development Studies (MJSSDS)⇛vol. 2 no. 2 (2025)

Examining the predictive role of breastfeeding knowledge on self-efficacy among second-time nursing mothers in Angeles City, Pampanga

Allyssa G. Llaneta | Frances Lurene M. Mercado | Sophia Joana T. Yalung | Sean Mikhail E. Diomampo

Discipline: midwifery, nursing (non-specific)

 

Abstract:

Despite the well-documented health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and infant, exclusive breastfeeding rates remain suboptimal globally, with barriers including knowledge gaps and poor maternal confidence. Understanding how breastfeeding knowledge influences self-efficacy is critical to improving breastfeeding outcomes and achieving public health targets. This study examined the extent to which breastfeeding knowledge is associated with breastfeeding self-efficacy among second-time nursing mothers in Angeles City, Pampanga. A cross-sectional descriptivecorrelational design was employed using snowball sampling to recruit 104 second-time nursing mothers. Data were collected using the Gender-Friendly Breastfeeding Knowledge Scale (GFBFKS) and the Breastfeeding SelfEfficacy Scale–Short Form (BSES-SF). Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS at a significance level of 0.05. Respondents demonstrated high breastfeeding knowledge (3.98 ± 1.29) and high breastfeeding self-efficacy (3.85 ± 1.27). Pearson's correlation revealed a strong positive relationship between breastfeeding knowledge and self-efficacy (r = 0.872*, p-value 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that breastfeeding knowledge predicts self-efficacy (β = 0.677, t = 18.034, p = 0.001), explaining 76.1% of the variance (R² = 0.761). Breastfeeding knowledge significantly predicts maternal confidence in breastfeeding ability. These findings support the integration of knowledge-based assessments and targeted educational interventions into prenatal and postnatal care, reinforcing initiatives such as the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition's 5.8% annual increase target and the WHO's exclusive breastfeeding goals, ultimately strengthening maternal and child health outcomes in Central Luzon.



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