title: Evaluation of a breastfeeding protocol.
abstract: A breastfeeding protocol has been field-tested in three hospitals. A pre- and post-test design was utilized to measure breastfeeding knowledge of health professionals and mothers before and after implementation of a standard breastfeeding protocol. Although results demonstrated a statistically significant increase in knowledge scores for health professionals and mothers, actual change in score was less than two percent and one percent respectively, compared to preintervention scores. Scores of both groups were not high and indicated limited knowledge in the health professional group in particular. Despite the fact that protocol implementation did not significantly alter knowledge scores, it did initiate positive changes in policies and procedures which may continue to influence knowledge and practice of health professionals.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McGovern
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Milligan
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation