Breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes among Egyptian baccalaureate students

Abstract

Aim: To assess the breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes and perceived adequacy of breastfeeding education among baccalaureate nursing students in Cairo, Egypt. Self-confidence to provide breastfeeding support for mothers was also investigated.

Background: Nurses play a crucial role in promoting breastfeeding. Studies in Western countries have found inadequate breastfeeding knowledge among undergraduate nursing students. No published literature about breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes among nursing students in Egypt was found.

Method: An exploratory descriptive study used a sample of 110 baccalaureate nursing students from Cairo, Egypt. Students who had completed maternal/child nursing didactic and clinical courses were eligible to participate. Ninety two (83.6%) students completed the survey during spring 2009. We used a Breastfeeding Knowledge Questionnaire adapted from Brodribb et al. to measure breastfeeding knowledge and the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale to test students' breastfeeding attitudes.

Results: Students' age ranged from 18 to 21 years with a mean of 19.5±1.2 with 75% being female. The mean breastfeeding knowledge score was 12.41 points out of 24, which represents 52% of the total score. The attitudes mean score was 3.13±0.64. There was a significant relationship between the students' knowledge and attitudes scores (r=0.236, P=0.011). Eighty per cent of the students reported that they received adequate breastfeeding knowledge and skills in their nursing programme, and 70% were confident in their ability to provide breastfeeding support.

Conclusion: Results revealed weak breastfeeding knowledge scores among students and neutral breastfeeding attitudes. Strategies to improve breastfeeding education in nursing curriculum focusing on breastfeeding management skills are warranted.