Factors predicting degree of intention for exclusive breastfeeding among Vietnamese pregnant women

Abstract

ABSTRACT          This study was aimed to determine the degree of intention for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months and its predictors among Vietnamese pregnant women. Theory of planned behavior was used as the research framework. A random sample of 180 pregnant women visiting antenatal care unit at Tu Du hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam was recruited. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires. Results showed that most women had strong to very strong intention to breastfeed exclusively. Attitude, subjective norms, perceived control, breastfeeding knowledge, age and family income together explained a significant variation in degree of intention for exclusive breastfeeding. Particularly, perceived control independently predicted degree of intention. Findings suggest that prenatal breastfeeding education and support focusing on improving women’s confidence and controllability in breastfeeding may increase the women’s breastfeeding intention, in turn increasing exclusive breastfeeding rate.