Knowledge of and Attitude toward Breastfeeding among Medical Staff Workingin the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Obstetric Unit

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#This study aimed to explore the knowledge of and attitude toward breastfeeding among medicalstaff working in the neonatal intensive care unit and obstetric unit. @*Methods@#A cross-sectional survey design was used. The questionnaire focused on participants’ knowledgeof and attitude toward breastfeeding and their characteristics. A total of 123 participants, including nursesand physicians working in the neonatal intensive care unit and obstetric unit, completed the questionnaire.Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and Spearman correlationcoefficient. @*Results@#One-third the of participants reported that they had obtained formal education related to breastfeedingwithin the last year, 44% of participants obtained information related to breastfeeding from books,while 30.9% of participants learned from coworkers. Over 93% of the participants reported a need forformal breastfeeding education. The rate of correct answers for breastfeeding knowledge was 59.2%, andthere were no significant differences between the nurse and physician groups. Breastfeeding attitude waspositive with a score of 60.0, and nurses working in the obstetric unit scored higher than other nurse orphysician groups (p=0.014). A significant correlation between knowledge of and attitude toward breastfeedingwas found in medical staff attending to preterm infant mothers (p<0.001). @*Conclusion@#Consistent information and positive support regarding breastfeeding need to be provided tomedical staff so that they can help preterm mothers initiate and continue breastfeeding. Further study isneeded to develop an interprofessional education program to increase breastfeeding knowledge and enhancepositive attitude of medical staff attending to preterm mothers.