Newborn Home Care During the First Year of Life: Maternal Self-Efficacy and Associated Maternal and Neonatal Factors in Brazil

Background/Objectives: Studies reporting mothers’ perceived self-efficacy for newborn home care and analyzing which maternal sociodemographic factors and newborn clinical characteristics are associated with it remain very limited. This study aims to analyze the association between maternal sociodemographic characteristics, neonatal factor, and maternal self-perceived efficacy in newborn home-based infant care during the infant’s first year of life in Brazil. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a patient list from a research project conducted in 2020–2022. Sixty-two mothers whose children were hospitalized in six neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) during this period were included. Data was collected using an electronic questionnaire developed on Google Forms, containing questions about the post-hospitalization period and care provided to the newborn after hospital discharge, in addition to items from the scales used to assess maternal self-efficacy. Statistical analysis was performed using a generalized linear model, in which factors were associated with total self-efficacy and its three domains: Perceived Self-Efficacy Score, Task Importance Score, and Perceived Parental Competence Score. Results: On average, mothers perceived their self-efficacy for newborn home care as high (β = 171.76; 95% CI: 160.12; 183.39). Multiparity (three or more children) was associated with higher maternal self-efficacy scores across all dimensions, particularly for total self-efficacy (β = 35.18; 95% CI: 22.51–47.85). Additionally, a low Apgar score (0–3), neonatal intubation, and lower maternal education attainment were associated with specific dimensions of maternal self-efficacy. Conclusions: The findings support strengthening discharge preparation and post-discharge follow-up, with structured guidance and family-centered support to enhance mothers’ confidence in infant care during the first year of life.