Spanish Translation and Validation of the Prenatal Rating of Efficacy in Preparation to Breastfeed (PREP to BF) Scale and Convergence with the English Version

Background: Prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy can be measured with the valid Prenatal Rating of Preparation to Breastfeed (PREP to BF) scale, but is only available in English and Turkish for clinical and research use.

Research Aims: (1) To translate the PREP to BF scale from English to Spanish, (2) test its psychometric properties by determining the internal consistency reliability, and (3) assess the relationship between self-efficacy and breastfeeding intention.

Methods: Spanish-speaking pregnant women (n=272), 18 to 43 years of age, currently residing in Puerto Rico participated in this cross-sectional study. The sample completed a web-based survey that assessed demographics, breastfeeding intention, and prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy (PREP to BF). Professional transcription services and a focus group of native Latin-American Spanish speakers (n=4) translated and assessed the survey for face validity.

Results: The study confirmed the Spanish version to be valid (α=.951) and reliable (λ6=.976) to measure prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy while retaining the original 39 items. Higher PREP to BF score was significantly associated with stronger breastfeeding intention (P < .001). Over 99% indicated plans to incorporate breastmilk into their feeding method, either exclusively (80%) or in combination (19.5%). Black women had significantly higher breastfeeding intention (P=.08), but white women had significantly higher mean self-efficacy score (P=.04).

Conclusions: The PREP to BF scale to measure prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy among pregnant women is valid for use in Spanish. This translated tool will enable more clinicians and researchers to measure the constructs of prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy in more diverse populations in the US and across Central America.

Publication: N/A - Brand new study and results!

Diversity and Inclusion: The entire scope of this project was to expand the use of a current tool into a new population of pregnant women who speak and read in Spanish. Gender identification was collected, but the entire sample was identified as women. The new tool will be presented in Spanish and English language forms.