Factors Associated with Healthcare Workers’ Self-Efficacy in Breastfeeding Guidance: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chongqing, China

Background This study aimed to investigate the current status of breastfeeding guidance practice among healthcare workers in Chongqing, China, and to assess their level of self-efficacy in the context of breastfeeding guidance. It further explored factors associated with this situational self-efficacy, to provide evidence for formulating targeted strategies to improve healthcare workers’ capacity and confidence in delivering professional breastfeeding guidance. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 217 healthcare workers. Structured questionnaires were used to collect demographic and occupational information, as well as self-efficacy, which was measured using the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Participants were instructed to complete the scale based on their real work experience in breastfeeding guidance. Univariate analyses and multiple linear regression were performed to explore factors associated with self-efficacy scores. Results Results The multiple linear regression showed that lactation guidance level for puerperae’s family (β = 2.81, 95%CI 1.06–4.56, p  = 0.002), lactation guidance frequency for puerperae’s family (β = 2.39, 95%CI 1.06–3.72, p  < 0.001), and hospital type (β = 2.85, 95%CI 1.39–4.30, p  < 0.001) were positively associated with scores of self-efficacy in the context of breastfeeding guidance. Conclusion Healthcare workers’ self-efficacy in the context of breastfeeding guidance is significantly associated with both individual practice behaviors and institutional factors. Specifically, higher levels and frequency of lactation guidance for puerperae’s families, as well as working in maternal and child specialist hospitals, are correlated with higher self-efficacy scores. Targeted strategies focusing on enhancing family-centered breastfeeding guidance quality and practice frequency, alongside optimizing institutional settings, are recommended to improve healthcare workers’ confidence in breastfeeding guidance and strengthen the overall quality of clinical breastfeeding support services.