Awareness about "Ten steps for successful breastfeeding" among medical and nursing students

Abstract

Background:Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a vital intervention supported by World Health Organization and UNICEF to reduce infant mortality and has been included as a part of the curriculum in nursing and medical courses. To know the extent of knowledge of students about BFHI along with its understanding and to find out the gap in their knowledge about BFHI steps.Methods:A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among the nursing (4th year) and medical students (3rd year MBBS) about ten steps of BFHI by a pretested and predesigned questionnaire. After ethical clearance, information was collected about their awareness and correct understanding concerning ten steps.Results:A total of 102 (51.6%) medical and 96 (48.4%) nursing students comprising of 57 (28.8%) males and 141 (71.2%) females were interviewed, had similar mean score about the ten steps of BFHI. Female respondents 82.3% had best understood the step 2 (training), as compared to males 80.7%. About step 6 (no supplements) 94.3% females and 86% males had well understood the step. Step 7 (rooming in) was known to 85.8% females and 54.4% males respectively. Step 9 (no pacifiers) was known to 80.1% females while among males 56.1% were aware. There was statistically significant difference in their knowledge about the steps 2 and 4 (skin to skin), 5 (counseling), 7, and 9 as females were more aware about these steps than males. The least understood steps in medical and nursing students were step 1 (written policy) (15.7%, 15.6%), step 3 (prenatal education) (27.5%, 29.2%), step 8 (cues) (10.8%, 24%) and step ten (community support) (8.8%, 11.5%) respectively.Conclusions:BFHI is one of the successful international efforts undertaken to promote, protect and support breast feeding. Acquiring knowledge about the same by medical and nursing students is most crucial tool for better practices by them in the future. Continued medical education, workshops and seminars by lactation specialists in addition to the regular teaching about BFHI as part of the curriculum may be considered to ensure and update their knowledge about BFHI.

Breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes of health professional students: a systematic review

“…Three studies reported the validity and reliability of the instruments used [ 16 – 18 ]. Some of these studies collected data before and/or after standard theory and laboratory based learning in maternal and child health curriculum and or clinical placement [ 6 , 13 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 ]. However these studies were not designed to evaluate the standard curriculum.…”

“…Some studies described the current undergraduate curriculum indicating that breastfeeding was addressed during the maternal and child health subject. If described, these standard curriculum primarily consisted of classroom and clinical components, discussing topics such as the properties of breast milk, benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and infant, assessment parameters for effective breastfeeding, maternal support, and achievement of proper latch in a didactic instructional manner [ 6 , 16 , 19 , 20 ]. In addition, practical experience was offered through clinical placement at a hospital based maternity unit where nursing students had opportunities to observe and interact with lactation consultants and nurses as they provided breastfeeding support for new mothers [ 6 , 13 , 16 , 19 ].…”

“…Overall, the cross-sectional, descriptive studies found that nursing students, medical students and general practice registrars lacked knowledge about breastfeeding even after completing their maternal and child health unit of study, particularly in relation to how best to support mothers and infants and to intervene if necessary [ 6 , 16 – 20 ]. Two studies, one in Egypt [ 16 ] and one in the USA [ 6 ] reported that nursing students had higher knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby and the cost benefits for families and society of breastfeeding but their knowledge of breastfeeding physiology and management was low, even following theoretical and laboratory based clinical education in their course in maternal and child nursing.…”

Important Role of Medical Training Curriculum to Promote the Rate of Human Milk Feeding

“…Therefore the education of BF medicine needs to be executed in medical school and nursing school. Kakrani et al [ 16 ] have studied the awareness about the Ten Steps for successful BF policy among medical students and nursing students in India. They were well aware about step 2 (training), step 6 (no supplement), step 7 (rooming-in), and step 9 (no pacifier).…”

Perception of medical students regarding breast feeding at Al Tibri Medical College and Hospital: a comparative study

“…12 With all these benefits still breastfeeding perception and practices are limited .Health care professionals can play a vital role in promoting breastfeeding. 13,14 It is therefore necessary that medical students acquire knowledge regarding breastfeeding during their period of study. 15 Although they have positive attitude towards breastfeeding, but their knowledge is lacking and perception varied.…”