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Nurse knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding in Arizona
Author(s) -
Foster Tasha,
Winham Donna M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.806.8
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , nursing , medicine , family medicine , breast feeding , pediatrics
Baseline data regarding knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding policies and practices were obtained from 169 maternity ward nurses in 4 hospitals (2 urban, 2 rural) in Arizona. Questionnaires were administered at the beginning of a four hour workshop highlighting the benefits of five of the 10 Baby Friendly Hospital initiatives. Participation in the survey was voluntary. The average age of the respondents was 42 ± 11 years. Eighty‐one percent had biological children and 93% of these individuals reported breastfeeding. Analysis of survey data revealed that while 71% knew they had a written breastfeeding policy, only 52% of respondents reported confidence describing their hospital's breastfeeding policies and procedures. While overall attitudes towards breastfeeding were generally positive, these findings suggest that maternity ward nurse knowledge should be assessed to maximize policy implementation related to maternity care practice changes in order to increase lactation success from birth.