María Del Carmen Suárez-Cotelo1,2, María Jesús Movilla-Fernández2,3, Paula Pita-García4, Betty Fernández Arias1, Silvia Novío5. 1. Hospital Provincial de Pontevedra, Pontevedra, Spain. 2. Universidad de la Coruña, Grupo de Investigación Cardiovascular (GRINCAR), Spain. 3. Universidad de la Coruña, Facultad de Enfermería y Podología, Campus de Esteiro, Ferrol, Coruña, Spain. 4. Hospital Arquitecto Marcide-Nóvoa Santos, Departamento de Obstetrícia, Ferrol, Coruña, Spain. 5. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Facultad de Enfermería, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Radiología, Salud Pública, Enfermería y Medicina, Santiago de Compostela, Coruña, Spain.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Determine the level of knowledge about maternal breastfeeding and analyze to what extent this influences the intention to breastfeed after the introduction of infant feeding at the 6th and 16th weeks and at 6 months postpartum. METHOD: Prospective descriptive study conducted with pregnant women in Galicia (Spain). By means of a self-filling questionnaire, data were collected on the intention of the woman to feed the newborn and their knowledge about breastfeeding. Pregnant women were also contacted at the 6th and 16th weeks and at 6 months postpartum to know the type of feeding they gave their child. RESULTS: 297 pregnant women participated in the study, of which 90.4% wanted to exclusively breastfeed their baby, however, only 28.2% continued up to 6 months. The level of knowledge about breastfeeding was regular and it was observed that it influences both the intention and the type of feeding of the newborn, thus it is an element to be considered when developing educational strategies aimed at increasing breastfeeding rates. CONCLUSION: The level of pregnant women's knowledge about breastfeeding is regular and influences the choice of how to feed their babies and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Strategies should be implemented to increase knowledge and improve breastfeeding rates.
OBJECTIVE: Determine the level of knowledge about maternal breastfeeding and analyze to what extent this influences the intention to breastfeed after the introduction of infant feeding at the 6th and 16th weeks and at 6 months postpartum. METHOD: Prospective descriptive study conducted with pregnant women in Galicia (Spain). By means of a self-filling questionnaire, data were collected on the intention of the woman to feed the newborn and their knowledge about breastfeeding. Pregnant women were also contacted at the 6th and 16th weeks and at 6 months postpartum to know the type of feeding they gave their child. RESULTS: 297 pregnant women participated in the study, of which 90.4% wanted to exclusively breastfeed their baby, however, only 28.2% continued up to 6 months. The level of knowledge about breastfeeding was regular and it was observed that it influences both the intention and the type of feeding of the newborn, thus it is an element to be considered when developing educational strategies aimed at increasing breastfeeding rates. CONCLUSION: The level of pregnant women's knowledge about breastfeeding is regular and influences the choice of how to feed their babies and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Strategies should be implemented to increase knowledge and improve breastfeeding rates.
Authors: Fauziyatun Nisa'; Nyoman Anita Damayanti; Fendy Suhariadi; Wesiana Herisanty; Raden Khairiyatul Afiyah Journal: J Public Health Res Date: 2022-07-09