Knowledge of students from the Institute nursery at the Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole regarding natural feeding of infants

[b]Introduction[/b]. From the year 2011 novel standards of perinatal care in force in Poland. The guidelines involve perinatal procedures, including those that refer to the period of lactation. It follows that promoting breast-feeding has become compulsory, is controlled by law and must be documented, analysed and reported back. In this connection, competences of medical workers appear to be of great importance, similarly as thorough knowledge regarding the subject of natural breast-feeding of infants.[b]Aim of research. [/b]Analysis of knowledge of average medical staff regarding natural breast-feeding of infants and dissemination of that knowledge.[b]Data and methods[/b]. The research was conducted in December of 2011and based on a specially designed questionnaire created by the authors. Interviewees were 136 nurses studying at the Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole.[b]Results[/b]. The majority of of respondents were 31-40 years old (54%), among them the highest percentage comprised of people having 10-19 years of work expirience (46%), born in cities (61%). The majority of interviewees breast-fed their children (85%), was thoroughly knowledgeable with respect to this subject and promoted such feeding method amongst their acquaintances.[b]Conclusions[/b]. 1.Regardless of age, place of residence and work experience, the interviewees breast-fed their infants. 2. The respondents promote breast-feeding to people whom they take care of. 3. The nurses interviewed consider their own knowledge regarding the period of lactationa as being on a very high level.