Evaluation of a training program for healthcare professionals about breast-feeding.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of a continuing medical education program based on the WHO's 10 steps to successful breast-feeding.


METHODS
An observational before-and-after study at a teaching hospital. Data for two random samples of 50 women before and 50 after the intervention were collected from medical records and completed by a mail questionnaire.


RESULTS
Seventy-six percent of mothers initiated breast-feeding in the two samples. The median duration of breast-feeding was 12 weeks and did not differ between the before and after groups. The percentage of newborns separated from their mother more than 4h a night decreased substantially after the intervention (13% versus 52% before the intervention, P<0.01). In-hospital formula provision also decreased after the intervention (63% of newborns versus 82% before intervention, P=0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study has enabled authors to document the feasibility of evaluating the impact of continuing education of maternity ward staff.
Durand
Muriel
M
Fédération des Services de Gynécologie-Obstétrique et Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Nord, Grenoble, France.
Labarère
José
J
Brunet
Edith
E
Pons
Jean-Claude
JC
D001942:Breast Feeding; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation; D008297:Male; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies