The Effect of a Breastfeeding and Infant Care Education Program Prepared According to Mercer Theory on Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, Readiness for Infant Care, and Acceptance of the Maternal Role

Summary

This study aims to examine the effects of a breastfeeding and infant care education program, developed based on Mercer's Maternal Role Development Theory, on pregnant women's breastfeeding self-efficacy, readiness for infant care, and acceptance of the maternal role. The randomized controlled trial will be conducted with 142 pregnant women between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation who have not received any prior structured education. Data will be collected using the "Personal Information Form," the "Prenatal Breastfeeding-Self-Efficacy Scale," the "Pregnant Women's Readiness for Newborn Hygienic Care Scale," and the "Prenatal Self-Assessment Scale-Maternal Role Acceptance Subscale." Pregnant women in the experimental group will receive a two-session face-to-face education program (breastfeeding and infant care) based on Mercer's theory. One week after the training, participants will be asked to complete the same scales again. Project management included determining the sample size using G\*Power, conducting randomization, and analyzing the data using SPSS. The research will be conducted with ethics committee approval, and participant rights will be strictly adhered to.

The broad impact of this study is that structured prenatal education can improve mothers' breastfeeding success and readiness for infant care, facilitating the transition to the motherhood role. The project, which aims to fill gaps in the literature, will contribute to both midwifery practice and evidence-based contributions to maternal and infant health.

Conditions

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Infant Care
• Newborn Care
• Theory
• Maternal Health

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Education group

First stage: Pregnant women will be administered a "Personal Information Form," the "Prenatal Breastfeeding-Self-Efficacy Scale," the "Prenatal Hygiene Care Readiness Scale," and the "Prenatal Self-Assessment Scale-Maternal Role Acceptance Subscale." Second stage: In this stage, pregnant women will be given a 60-minute breastfeeding education session. Third stage: This stage will take place one week after the second stage, and pregnant women will receive baby care training. The training will be conducted face-to-face in the training room of the hospital where the study will be conducted, using the training manual prepared by the researchers according to Mercer's theory as a guide. Fourth stage: In this stage, pregnant women will again be administered the "Prenatal Breastfeeding-Self-Efficacy Scale," the "Prenatal Hygiene Care Readiness Scale," and the "Prenatal Self-Assessment Scale-Maternal Role Acceptance Subscale."

BEHAVIORAL

Control group

First stage: In this stage, pregnant women will be informed about the study and their voluntary written consent will be obtained. They will then complete a Personal Information Form, the Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, the Prenatal Hygienic Care Readiness Scale, and the Prenatal Self-Assessment Scale-Maternal Role Acceptance Subscale. Second stage: Pregnant women will be administered the Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, the Prenatal Hygienic Care Readiness Scale, and the Prenatal Self-Assessment Scale-Maternal Role Acceptance Subscale.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Antalya Bilim University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

35 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-05-30

Primary Completion

2025-06-01

Completion

2025-12-28

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations