title: Breastfeeding knowledge and practice of health professionals in public health care services.
abstract: This study evaluated breastfeeding knowledge and practice of professionals who care for infants at health care services in a city in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil. This epidemiological study was carried out with a population of 89 nurses and physicians. Their answers to a structured questionnaire were analyzed in total and by place of work through the test for difference between proportions (Chi-square) with the level of significance at p<0.05. Data analysis was performed according to the Ministry of Health recommendations. The significant differences found for knowledge and practice, according to place of work, were restricted to certain aspects. Results of average scores were slightly better for professionals from the basic care units. Regular and poor performance were found in different studied aspects regardless of place of work, which suggest that potential educational interventions in this subject should include professionals at all levels of health care.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Brazil. pakesil@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Patrícia Kelly
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Silvestre
authors.forename: Maria Antonieta de Barros Leite
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Carvalhaes
authors.forename: Sônia Isoyama
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Venâncio
authors.forename: Vera Lúcia Pamplona
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Tonete
authors.forename: Cristina Maria Garcia de Lima
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Parada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011634:Public Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires