The spiritual health and breastfeeding behavior: a cross-sectional correlational study.

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is the optimal choice for infant health, and spiritual health may assist mothers in adapting to maternal roles, including breastfeeding. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between spiritual health and breastfeeding behavior among lactating mothers.

Method: This cross-sectional study included 400 lactating women who were selected using a multi-stage sampling method. Data collection tools included a socio-demographic and reproductive questionnaire, a spiritual health questionnaire, and a breastfeeding behavior assessment questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS V23, incorporating independent t-tests, Pearson and Spearman correlation tests, and multiple linear regression analysis.

Results: The study included 400 women aged 29.36 ± 5.67 years. The mean scores for spiritual health and breastfeeding behavior were 91.66 ± 6.80% and 80.07 ± 9.94%, respectively. Regression analysis revealed that spiritual health (Beta = 0.287, p < 0.01), infant age (Beta = - 0.19, p < 0.01), breastfeeding initiation time (Beta = 0.12, p = 0.009), and nipple care (B = 0.09, p = 0.04) were significant predictors of breastfeeding behavior.

Conclusions: The study found a positive relationship between spiritual health and breastfeeding behavior among women. Therefore, promoting spiritual health could be considered a strategy to improve breastfeeding behavior in lactating women.