J Korean Soc Matern Child Health.  2020 Apr;24(2):102-110. 10.21896/jksmch.2020.24.2.102.

Knowledge of and Attitude toward Breastfeeding among Medical Staff Workingin the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Obstetric Unit

• Kim ES
• Cho YH
• Lee H

• KMID: 2500134
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21896/jksmch.2020.24.2.102

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to explore the knowledge of and attitude toward breastfeeding among medical staff working in the neonatal intensive care unit and obstetric unit.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey design was used. The questionnaire focused on participants’ knowledge of and attitude toward breastfeeding and their characteristics. A total of 123 participants, including nurses and physicians working in the neonatal intensive care unit and obstetric unit, completed the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and Spearman correlation coefficient.
Results
One-third the of participants reported that they had obtained formal education related to breastfeeding within the last year, 44% of participants obtained information related to breastfeeding from books, while 30.9% of participants learned from coworkers. Over 93% of the participants reported a need for formal breastfeeding education. The rate of correct answers for breastfeeding knowledge was 59.2%, and there were no significant differences between the nurse and physician groups. Breastfeeding attitude was positive with a score of 60.0, and nurses working in the obstetric unit scored higher than other nurse or physician groups (p=0.014). A significant correlation between knowledge of and attitude toward breastfeeding was found in medical staff attending to preterm infant mothers (p<0.001).
Conclusion
Consistent information and positive support regarding breastfeeding need to be provided to medical staff so that they can help preterm mothers initiate and continue breastfeeding. Further study is needed to develop an interprofessional education program to increase breastfeeding knowledge and enhance positive attitude of medical staff attending to preterm mothers.

Keyword

Breastfeeding; Knowledge; Attitude; Physician; Intensive care unit; Newborn

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