[Spanish reference values for the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form BSES-SF].

BACKGROUND: To describe the reference values for the Spanish version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF), considering the differences according to parity and previous breastfeeding experience.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study in five hospitals in Valencia and one in Murcia, Spain, in a convenience sample of 949 in-hospital breastfeeding women, with no medical problems in the mothers or newborns hindering breastfeeding. Data on sociodemographic and obstetric variables, and on breastfeeding self-efficacy, were collected using the BSES-SF. Central tendency, dispersion and percentile data were calculated to generate reference values for the entire sample, and by parity and previous experience.

RESULTS: The level of self-efficacy was significantly lower (p <0.001) among primiparous women (mean =47.67±11.03) or those without previous experience (mean =47.30±11.18) than among multiparas (mean =52.87±10.66) or women with previous experience (mean =53.93±9.93). The P25 and P75 percentiles for the BSES-SF were, respectively, 42 and 59 for the entire sample; 39 and 56 for women without children or without previous experience; 46 and 61 for mothers with children; and 47 and 62 for mothers with previous experience.

CONCLUSIONS: The specific percentiles obtained by parity or previous experience should be considered the reference values for comparing the level of self-efficacy of a given case, and for evaluating and planning educational postpartum support interventions.