Breastfeeding in Primary Healthcare Setting: Evaluation of Nurses and Midwives Competencies, Training, Barriers and Satisfaction of Breastfeeding Educational Experiences in Northern Ghana

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding education is critical in improving healthcare professionals’ competencies in providing breastfeeding care to mothers. We evaluated breastfeeding competencies, training, barriers and satisfaction of breastfeeding educational experiences among nurses and midwives in the Sagnarigu Municipality, Ghana. Methods: This cross-sectional study included nurses and midwives providing maternal and child health services at various primary healthcare facilities in Sagnarigu Municipality. Results: Nurses and midwives had higher pre-service breastfeeding training than in-service training with a mean training score of 10.0 and 5.2, respectively. Nurses and midwives who had both pre-service and in-service training had better satisfaction score ( P = .003), positive attitudes ( P = .016) and higher confidence level about breastfeeding ( P = .007). Approximately, 80% of the nurses and midwives reported that they need further training/updating on breastfeeding while 40% reported clinical/professional practice as the significant contributor to their breastfeeding counselling competencies. Mean satisfaction score correlated positively with confidence levels about breastfeeding counselling ( r = .224, P = .022) and pre-service training ( r = .342, P < .001); confidence levels about breastfeeding counselling also correlated positively with attitudes towards breastfeeding counselling ( r = .348, P < .001). Commonly reported barriers to breastfeeding counselling were mother’s poor compliance with breastfeeding recommendations, too much workload, inadequate time and materials for breastfeeding counselling. Conclusion: Nurses and midwives in this study felt confident about breastfeeding counselling, had positive attitudes towards breastfeeding counselling and generally, satisfied with their breastfeeding educational experiences. Despite nurses and midwives agreeing that breastfeeding counselling is integral in their professional practice, their role in providing breastfeeding counselling is hindered by individual and health systems barriers.

Conhecimento de enfermeiros da estratégia saúde da família de uma região de saúde no estado da Paraíba (Brasil) sobre alimentação infantil

“…32 Em contrapartida, relata-se que a experiência em serviço também pode contribuir com o conhecimento sobre aleitamento materno. 33 Os profissionais de saúde são de grande importância na promoção da alimentação adequada e saudável, principalmente para a criança. 23 Nesse sentido, a capacitação e aquisição de conhecimentos sobre alimentação infantil se destaca por contribuir nas atitudes, habilidades e práticas de cuidado em aleitamento materno e alimentação complementar, que podem resultar em benefícios nos problemas e desafios que envolvem a amamentação.…”

“…23 Nesse sentido, a capacitação e aquisição de conhecimentos sobre alimentação infantil se destaca por contribuir nas atitudes, habilidades e práticas de cuidado em aleitamento materno e alimentação complementar, que podem resultar em benefícios nos problemas e desafios que envolvem a amamentação. 2,11,28,33 A educação permanente, por sua vez, representa uma importante estratégia de qualificação profissional e fortalecimento dos conhecimentos e práticas no contexto da promoção da alimentação saudável. 1 Nessa conjuntura, a EAAB constitui uma ferramenta importante para a promoção do aleitamento materno e da alimentação complementar através da capacitação dos profissionais, de melhorias nos processos de trabalho, da troca de experiências e do fortalecimento das ações em saúde infantil.…”

Health professional competency building for the Baby‐Friendly Hospital Initiative in Malawi

“…Breastfeeding education and competencies of health professionals have been reviewed primarily in high‐ and middle‐income countries (Balogun et al, 2017 ; Chapin et al, 2021 ; Dubik et al, 2021 ; Dykes, 2006 ; Gavine et al, 2017 ; Global Breastfeeding Collective, 2020 ; McFadden et al, 2017 ). Few publications exist on how low‐income countries are responding and integrating BFHI into standards of care.…”