ABSTRACT
Background: To Breastfeeding is a health behavior that is considered an ideal method of feeding and nurturing infants. However, there is a reduction in the rate of breastfeeding despite the multiple breastfeeding initiatives
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify the perceived barriers of breastfeeding among Jordanian mothers
Methods: A cross sectional descriptive design was used. The study recruited a convenient sample of 500 Jordanian mothers who gave birth to a healthy full-term infant, and who did not initiate breastfeeding post-delivery or discontinued the process before six months of infant's age. Mothers of infants with serious illnesses were excluded from the study. The data were collected by a self reported measure, the Breastfeeding Perceived Barrier Scale. The measure consists of 22 items covering maternal factors, infant factors, and socio-environmental factors. The measure has internal consistency reliability [alpha coefficient = 0.73]
Results: The study participants reported total mean of breastfeeding barrier [84.0 +/- 8.3] out of 110- as the total score of the barriers- the results indicated high level of breastfeeding barriers. Also, the results showed high level of barriers in the maternal factor [3.6 +/- .51], infant factor [4.0 +/- .42], and socio-environment [4.0 +/- .52]. Breast physical problems, mothers' lack of knowledge, infant refusal of breast milk, and working environment are the most perceived barriers
Conclusions: The study revealed that Jordanian mothers have relatively high level of breastfeeding perceived barriers
ABSTRACT
To assess Diabetes Knowledge among patients with Diabetes mellitus at King Hussein Hospital. This study was conducted at King Hussein Hospital. Descriptive research design during the period between September 2010 to October 2010, was used to recruit a convenient sample of 100 hospitalized adult patients with Diabetes mellitus. Data was collected through face-to-face interview using the Brief Diabetes Knowledge Test [Fitzgerald et al, 1998]. This test is composed of 23 multiple choice questions that assess General Knowledge and Insulin Knowledge as well as Total score for Total knowledge. Simple descriptive statistics [frequency, mean, percentage] was used to describe the study variables One hundred diabetic patients participated in this study [50 men and 50 women]. Their age ranged from 19 to 86 years [mean +/- SD 57.8 +/- 10.9 years]. The majority [90%] were married. The overall scores of the total sample were low; Total knowledge was [49.8 +/- 13.4]; General Diabetes Knowledge was [54 +/- 14] and Insulin Knowledge was [43 +/- 19.6]. Men scored higher than women in the total Knowledge [52.9 vs. 46.7]; General Diabetes Knowledge [56.8 vs. 51.1]; and Insulin Knowledge [46.9 vs. 39.8]. Moreover, there were no differences found between patients with type 1 and type 2 Diabetes in study group. Diabetic patients in this study had Diabetes Knowledge deficit about their disease, which in turn will limit their involvement in the management of the disease