Does breastfeeding education affect nursing staff beliefs, exclusive breastfeeding rates, and Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative compliance? The experience of a small, rural Canadian hospital

Abstract

The effectiveness of a breastfeeding education intervention consisting of a 1 1/2-hour mandated session for all nursing staff, with an optional self-paced tutorial, was evaluated in a small rural Canadian hospital. The intervention was designed to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates, create positive beliefs and attitudes among staff members, and increase compliance with the World Health Organization/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). Staff surveys and chart audits were conducted at both the intervention and control site hospitals prior to the intervention and 7 months after the intervention. Over a 7-month period, the intervention hospital experienced an increase in BFHI compliance (24.4 vs. 31.9, P < .01), breastfeeding beliefs (55.0 vs. 58.8, P < .05), and exclusive breastfeeding rates (31% vs. 54% of breastfed babies, P < .05) but no change in breastfeeding attitudes (44.0 vs. 44.9, P = .80). The control site experienced no change in BFHI compliance, beliefs, or attitudes but a significant decrease in exclusive breastfeeding rates (43% vs. 0%, P < .05).