Effect of Counseling with Skills Training Approach on Maternal Self-efficacy and Infant-care Behavior: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Self-efficacy and infant-care behavior are the most important indicators of the successful transition of a woman into the maternal role. This study aimed to determine the effect of counseling with the skills training approach on maternal self-efficacy and infant-care behavior.Methods: The present randomized controlled trial was conducted on 68 women visiting health centers in 2019 in Tabriz, Iran. Participants were divided into intervention and control groups through block randomization based on the number of parities (one or two parities) and type of delivery (Cesarean section or normal vaginal delivery). The intervention group received 4 counseling sessions. The maternal self-efficacy and infant-care behavior questionnaires were completed before and two weeks after the intervention.Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of socio-demographic characteristics (P>0.05). After the intervention, the mean±SD values of total maternal self-efficacy score were 35.6±5.7 and 30.9±1.9 in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Based on the ANCOVA test with baseline control, the mean was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group (mean difference (MD): 2.9; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.8-5.1; P=0.08). After the intervention, the mean±SD scores of infant-care behavior in the intervention and control groups were 78.9±3.8 and 76.2±3.6, respectively. Moreover, based on the ANCOVA test with baseline control, the mean value was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group (MD: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.6-4.1; P<0.001).Conclusion: Counseling was effective in maternal self-efficacy and postpartum infant-care behavior. Therefore, it is recommended to use this method for the promotion of the health of mothers and their neonates.