Knowledge and health beliefs about gestational diabetes and healthy pregnancy's breastfeeding intention

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: If the knowledge and health beliefs relating to gestational diabetes mellitus during pregnancy are associated with behaviours during pregnancy and lactation, this suggests potential educational interventions. BACKGROUNDS: Women with gestational diabetes mellitus are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus, and babies with gestational diabetes mellitus incur increased risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia and childhood obesity. Breastfeeding is an effective way to improve maternal and lipid metabolism of gestational diabetes mothers, and to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus after birth, to prevent conception. Nurses have an important role in encouraging mothers to breastfeed for health promotion. The importance of cognitive factors such as knowledge, beliefs and attitudes is emphasised to increase the breastfeeding rate and to improve the quality of breastfeeding for pregnant women. Little research has been undertaken exploring cognitive factors and breastfeeding intention. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive survey in healthy pregnant women. METHODS: A questionnaire about gestational diabetes mellitus-related knowledge and health beliefs of gestational diabetes mellitus management composed of perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers and self-efficacy was developed by investigators. The association of two predictor variables of interest, gestational diabetes mellitus-related knowledge and health beliefs of gestational diabetes mellitus management, was tested with the outcome variable, breastfeeding intention, using chi-square test, t test, ANOVA and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-seven of the 250 participants returned questionnaires for a final response rate of 94.8%. Breastfeeding intention after childbirth was associated with stronger perceived benefit, higher levels of self-efficacy and lower alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: History of drinking and health beliefs such as perceived benefits and self-efficacy were highly associated with breastfeeding intention relating to gestational diabetes mellitus. Education for breastfeeding in gestational diabetes mellitus mothers should focus upon the benefit of breastfeeding and strengthening self-efficacy.