Dysfunctional beliefs and practices in postnatal maternal health and infant care, related factors: The case of Konya

Aim: This study was carried out to determine the dysfunctional beliefs and practices of women in maternal health and infant care in the postpartum period and to determine related factors. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on women who applied to 4 different family health centers in Konya between November 2019 and February 2020. 200 women who gave birth and agreed to participate in the study constituted the sample of the study. Informed consent form was obtained from the volunteers and the data were collected by face-to-face interview technique. Sociodemographic data collection form and Dysfunctional Beliefs and Practices in Maternal Health and Infant Care Attitude Scale (ASBB-FOIU), which was created by using the literature, were used in the study. The data were analyzed in the SPSS program by applying statistical analysis methods. Results: The age of the women in the study group ranged from 16 to 55, with a mean of 29.70 ± 7.91 years. The mean total score of the women (ASBB-FOIU) scale was 128.09±13.23. A significant correlation was found between the age of the women and the use of dysfunctional beliefs and practices related to puerperium (p=0.012). As the education level of women increased, the use of non-functional baby care practices increased (p=0.010). As the number of pregnancies decreased, non-functional application usage cases related to puerperium increased. Women who gave birth normally used the practices related to puerperium more. Conclusion: In the study, it was concluded that women use traditional beliefs and practices regarding pregnancy, childbirth, puerperium and newborn care in the 
postpartum period. Midwives and nurses providing health services; From the preconceptional period, the family should be evaluated 
holistically and should question the use of traditional practices related to mother-infant health.