Predictive Factors of Exclusive Breastfeeding Intention in Pregnant Women

Abstract Background: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after delivery plays a crucial role in preventing infants morbidity and mortality. Exclusive breastfeeding intention during pregnancy is one of predictors of this behavior. Determining the effective factors in exclusive breastfeeding intention helps plan for promoting breastfeeding intention and behavior. The aim of this study is to determine predictive factors of exclusive breastfeeding intention in pregnant women, based on the theory of planned behavior. Materials and Methods: This analytical study was conducted in 2014 on 224 primigravide women referred to Health Centers of Kashan. The samples were randomly selected from 16 health centers. The mothers completed the questionnaires of demography, intention, attitude, subjective norms and the perceived behavior control. A linear regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of the exclusive breastfeeding intention. Results: In regression model, the perceived behavior control (β=0.42, p<0.001), attitude (β=0.27, p