effect of precede model-based education on the breastfeeding behavior of nulliparous mothers

Background: breastfeeding is one of the most important aspects of the mental-cognitive development of the child. the most useful application of the precede model is to explain factors associated with behaviors.aim: this study aimed to investigate the effect of precede model-based education on the breastfeeding behavior of nulliparous mothers.method: this randomized clinical trial was conducted on 90 mothers referring to the health centers in gonabad, iran, in 2017-18. the participants were divided into intervention and control groups using a table of random numbers. the data were collected through a questionnaire based on the precede model including predisposing factors, reinforcing factors, enabling factors, self-efficacy, as well as behavioral and social evaluation. breastfeeding behavior was also assessed using the standard infant breastfeeding assessment tool (ibaft). data were analyzed in spss 21 through independent t-test and mann-whitney test.results: no significant difference was observed between the intervention and control groups in terms of knowledge, attitude, reinforcing factors, and enabling factors (p<0.05) before the intervention. however, a significant difference was found between the two groups regarding knowledge, attitude, reinforcing factors, enabling factors, and breastfeeding behavior (p<0.001) after the intervention. the mean±sd of breastfeeding behavior showed a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.001). implications for practice: due to the effectiveness of the precede model-based training in the breastfeeding behavior of nulliparous women, this educational content can be used to promote breastfeeding behavior in health centers and hospitals.