Breastfeeding Knowledge, Attitudes, and Self-Efficacy among Inpatient Health Care Providers

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy among inpatient health care providers caring for mothers and infants in a large metropolitan community hospital.

Methods: In this cross sectional study, 136 direct care nurses, nurse managers, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians within the Maternal-Child Health (MCH) division (i.e., Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, Well Baby Nursery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Pediatrics) completed a 27-item survey measuring knowledge about breastfeeding, and attitudes (α = .79) and self-efficacy (α = .93) towards breastfeeding in patient care. Differences by unit, type of provider, and professional experience were examined using tests of ANOVA.

Results: 79.6% of the sample were direct care RNs. 28.7% had <5 years experience; 22.6% >30 years. Overall attitudes towards breastfeeding were positive (M=40.97±4.6, range 0-50). There were significant differences in knowledge by unit (p=0.001), and in self-efficacy by unit (p = 0.017) and type of provider (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Findings will be used to develop a multidisciplinary education program that will improve the accuracy and consistency of teaching and assistance provided to new mothers.