title: Pediatricians', obstetricians', gynecologists', and family medicine physicians' experiences with and attitudes about breast-feeding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Investigate physicians' breast-feeding experiences and attitudes using a survey based on two behavioral theories: theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the health belief model (HBM).
  
  
  METHODS
  There were 73 participants included in the investigation. These participants were resident and faculty physicians from pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, and family medicine at a university campus, located on the US-Mexico border. The sample was reduced to 53 and 56 records for the attitude and confidence variables, respectively. Physicians answered a survey about their breast-feeding experiences and attitudes to learn about intention and ability applying constructs from TRA and HBM. An attitude scale, confidence variable (from self-efficacy items), and a lactation training index were created for the analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of the association between physicians' breastfeeding experiences and their attitudes revealed physicians are knowledgeable about breast-feeding and have positive attitudes towards breast-feeding. They did not seem to remember how long they breast-fed their children or whether they enjoyed breast-feeding, but they wanted to continue breast-feeding. Physicians cite work as a main reason for not continuing to breast-feed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physicians' attitudes toward breast-feeding are positive. They are expected to practice health-promotion behavior including breast-feeding; however, physicians' breast-feeding rates are low and although they are knowledgeable about breast-feeding their training lacks on didactic depth and hands-on experience. If physicians learn more about breast-feeding and breast-feed exclusively and successfully, the rates in the United States would increase naturally.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso 79905, USA. Ines.Anchondo@ttuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Inés
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Anchondo
authors.forename: Lizabeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berkeley
authors.forename: Zuber D
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Mulla
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Byrd
authors.forename: Bahij
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nuwayhid
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Handal
authors.forename: Ralitsa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Akins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States