title: Norwegian general practitioners' knowledge and beliefs about breastfeeding, and their self-rated ability as breastfeeding counsellor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breastfeeding is considered the best infant-feeding method. Norway is one of the leading countries in terms of breastfeeding initiation and duration. To maintain this high breastfeeding rate, it is important to understand the factors that influence breastfeeding. A doctor s advice can improve the rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration, but not all doctors are competent in breastfeeding counselling.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify the knowledge and beliefs of general practitioners (GPs) about breastfeeding in Norway and to investigate how important they considered guidance about breastfeeding initiation and duration before and after birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire study about knowledge and beliefs according to predefined correct responses and about self-perceived competence as an advisor.
  
  
  METHODS
  122 GPs engaged in apprenticeship for medical students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 57%, 69 GPs participated. The questions were answered correctly according to national consensus for 49 % for the knowledge items and 64 % of the belief items. The GPs believed that their guidance was more important after than before birth. Female GPs had more confidence in their guidance ability than male GPs. Confidence in the GPs own guidance after birth was associated with knowledge about contraindications to breastfeeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the GPs expressed beliefs favouring breastfeeding they partly lacked basic knowledge. The GPs confidence in own guidance was better after than before birth and was higher among those with more knowledge. Improved knowledge and emphasis on guidance before birth should be promoted among GPs. Key points Breastfeeding is the best infant-feeding method. Doctors' advice improves the rates of breastfeeding, but not all doctors have sufficient knowledge. This study mapped the knowledge and beliefs among Norwegian GPs. The study revealed that: GPs partly lacked basic knowledge to effectively promote breastfeeding. GPs had less confidence as advisers during pregnancy than after delivery. Most GPs agreed that knowledge about breastfeeding is basic and should be taught as an integral part of medical school programmes.
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine , University of Oslo , Norway ;
authors.forename: Heidi R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Svendby
authors.affiliation: b Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Breastfeeding, Women and Children's Division , Oslo University Hospital , Rikshospitalet , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Beate F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Løland
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine , University of Oslo , Norway ;
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Omtvedt
authors.affiliation: b Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Breastfeeding, Women and Children's Division , Oslo University Hospital , Rikshospitalet , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Solveig T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Holmsen
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine , University of Oslo , Norway ;
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lagerløv
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Breastfeeding; beliefs; general practitioner; health personnel; health promotion; human milk; knowledge