The aim of this paper is to determine the current state of behavior, attitudes, and knowledge of health professionals about breastfeeding in Croatia. Data were collected via a breastfeeding behavior, attitudes, and knowledge questionnaire, which has already been validated and used in Croatia. The secondary aim is to identify differences in outcomes of respondents by occupation (nurses versus others health professionals). In the study, 374 health professionals participated (37 males and 337 females). Respondents completed the questionnaire online. Respondents were rarely involved in breastfeeding education. On the behavior scale, the worst answer was given to the question of advising mothers on breastfeeding after 24 months. On the attitude scale, the worst result was achieved in terms of public breastfeeding and the support of the child’s father for the breastfeeding mother. Respondents demonstrated the worst knowledge of The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and the use of medications while breastfeeding. There was no statistically significant difference between the results of respondents in relation to the occupation of the respondents. In the preparation of future breastfeeding education for health professionals in Croatia, particular attention should be given to these issues.

Numerous factors affect the behavior, attitudes, and knowledge of health professionals about breastfeeding. The aim of this paper is to determine the impact of participation in pregnancy courses and breastfeeding support groups on the attitudes and knowledge of health professionals about breastfeeding. The study compares two groups of health professionals according to the results they achieved on a validated questionnaire of behavior, attitudes, and knowledge about breastfeeding. The authors did not make personal contact with the respondents, as the questionnaires were filled out online. The two groups of respondents differed according to the frequency of participation in pregnancy courses, that is, groups for breastfeeding support. The results are presented tabularly and graphically (frequencies and percentages), while differences in the results between the infrequent and regular participants are shown with the Mann–Whitney U test (asymmetric distribution). Better results on the questionnaire were achieved by those who regularly attended breastfeeding support groups (Mdn = 149, IQR = 11) in comparison to infrequent visitors (Mdn = 137, IQR = 23). The same is found for regular visitors of pregnancy courses (Mdn = 149, IQR = 15.75) in comparison to infrequent visitors (Mdn = 137, IQR = 23). The differences are statistically significant (p < 0.00). Partial correlation confirms a more significant influence of breastfeeding support groups (<0.00) than pregnancy courses (p = 0.34). Working in breastfeeding support groups had a statistically significant positive effect on the attitudes and knowledge of health professionals about breastfeeding. The topic of breastfeeding should be given more space and importance during pregnancy courses as well. Personal experience working in breastfeeding support groups and pregnancy courses should be incorporated into the training of medical students.

The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge, positive intentions, and attitudes regarding breastfeeding among university students. A validated questionnaire collected data from 236 students of the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek about breastfeeding intentions, attitudes, and knowledge. Descriptive methods were used to present the students’ results in terms of their intentions, attitudes, and knowledge. For each question included in the questionnaire, the maximum possible and maximum achieved numbers of points were calculated, as well as the percentage of points achieved in relation to the maximum possible number. Correlations between the results on individual scales of the questionnaire and the total results of the questionnaire are shown by Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Questionnaire answers that were least in line with professional recommendations were selected and analyzed. We found that the areas that should be given special attention in the education of students are: the intention of breastfeeding for more than a year; the use of breaks for breastfeeding in the workplace; attitudes and knowledge about the quality of breast milk in relation to substitutes; attitudes about breastfeeding in public places and breastfeeding for more than two years; and the feeling of maternity and breastfeeding (compared to bottle feeding). The relationship between the results was considered in terms of intentions, attitudes, and knowledge in relation to the overall results of the questionnaire, and the authors’ thoughts on the reasons behind the poorer results achieved for certain questions were presented.