MARITAL SATISFACTION AND PRENATAL BREASTFEEDING SELF-EFFICACY IN LATE ANTENATAL PERIOD IN A LOW-INCOME MUNICIPALITY

All women should be offered support to breastfeed their babies to increase the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding. This study aims to assess the level of marital satisfaction and its influence to prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy in the first time mothers in late pregnancy period. A descriptive correlational was conducted among 128 prim gravid women who agreed to participate and had prenatal care check-up in the barangay health center at the time of data gathering. The instruments used were 15-item Marital Adjustment Test (MAT) and 14-item Breastfeeding Self efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF). The study revealed that have a high level of marital satisfaction (112.05± 21.83). Prenatal mother responded in the study were highly confident and has high self-efficacy in breastfeeding their first unborn child (4.55±.51). Lastly, it was found out that there is no significant correlation marital satisfaction and prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy (β=-.052, p value=.280). The study suggests incorporating co-parenting intervention involving father's involvement and assistance with breastfeeding when creating interventions in breastfeeding.