Breastfeeding knowledge among Polish healthcare practitioners supporting breastfeeding mothers.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of breastfeeding knowledge among healthcare practitioners taking care for mothers and children in the perinatal period, the training needs for such practitioners, and the forms of breastfeeding support in Poland.


METHODS
The study involved a group of 361 health care practitioners, of whom 168 had followed a professional development course in breastfeeding knowledge, whilst the remaining 193 had not. A ten-point test was used with this group to assess their 2nd level of lactation knowledge as defined by Wellstart International guidelines.


RESULTS
The study included 227 midwives, 58 medical doctors, 40 nurses, 8 educators and psychologists and 28 members of other professions. Breastfeeding support was being provided by 309 of the participants (86.3%). The highest mean test score (7.58 points) was obtained by medical doctors who had completed a professional development course in the field of breastfeeding knowledge. The probability of achieving a high score was increased by: following a professional course in breastfeeding knowledge (OR = 8.73; 95% CI: 4.99-15.32), following the longest breastfeeding support skills training (OR = 4.80; 95% CI: 2.83-8.14) and IBLCE certification (OR = 5.07; 95% CI: 2.71-9.47).


CONCLUSIONS
Specialist professional development courses are effective sources of knowledge for practitioners who provide breastfeeding support. There is a need to include breastfeeding education in curriculum for undergraduate medical training, as well as to organize professional development courses to provide evidence-based knowledge and practice to support breastfeeding mothers and babies.
The Centre for Lactation Science, Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: magda@amsint.pl.
Magdalena
M
Nehring-Gugulska
The Centre for Lactation Science, Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: piotr.nehring@gmail.com.
Piotr
P
Nehring
Department of Neonatology, Medical University in Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: olejnik.basia@gmail.com.
Barbara
B
Królak-Olejnik
D001942:Breast Feeding; D002568:Certification; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D018743:Perinatal Care; D011044:Poland; D012944:Social Support; D013192:Staff Development
Breastfeeding; Certificate; Consultant; Knowledge; Lactation