Diseño y validez de un instrumento para evaluar la autoeficacia percibida por los profesionales de la salud acerca de su capacidad para procurar cuidados a las madres que amamantan

Résumé

The promotion and support of breastfeeding by health professionals in different settings is an interventional strategy with evidence of successful results. The purpose of this study is to develop a scale to understand the self-efficacy perceived by health professionals about their ability to care for breastfeeding mothers. Methodology. The design of the scale was made using the Spanish version of the ‘Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form’ scale for mothers. The validation tests were done by creating a group of experts and piloting the tool with professionals caring for nursing mothers from two centres. The psychometric properties of the scale were examined by analysing their validity, reliability, sensitivity and feasibility. Results. The scale "Professional Self-Efficacy for Breastfeeding Care" (Autoeficacia Profesional para los Cuidados en Lactancia, APCLA) contains 14 items according to the domain of interest, with response options from 1 to 5. It was elaborated in paper and electronic format. After the assessment of the committee of experts, it was piloted with 43 nurses and midwives. The scale shows promising results with respect to its validity, reliability (Cronbach's Alpha 0.967) sensitivity (p <0.05) and feasibility. Conclusion. Although it will be necessary to continue the validation process in other populations and larger numbers of participants, the instrument has shown good results for the measurement of professionals’ self-efficacy. Assessing professional perceived selfefficacy to care for breastfeeding mothers will help identify areas of training for professionals and reduce variability in care provision.