Evaluation of healthcare professionals' knowledge on breastfeeding

Abstract

Abstract Background Less than half of infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. This raises questions about the role of support provided to breastfeeding mothers in helping them address everyday questions and challenges. Methods Our study aimed to evaluate healthcare professionals' knowledge on breastfeeding. Methodology: This was a descriptive study conducted among healthcare professionals. Data collection was done using a questionnaire, and the data were gathered, coded, and entered into SPSS software version 20. Results Our study included 86 healthcare professionals, including midwives (n = 39), midwifery students (n = 33), medical interns (n = 10), and obstetrics and gynecology residents (n = 4). The evaluation of knowledge on hygiene and dietary rules yielded an average score of 0.53. The theme related to complications occurring in mothers and infants had an average score of 0.55 out of 1 (0.1; 0.9). Regarding the benefits of breastfeeding, only 49% were aware of the benefits for the mother, compared to 42.3% for the baby. A mean score of 0.51 was attributed to knowledge about treatments that can be taken during breastfeeding. Conclusions The successful implementation and continuation of breastfeeding require the collective efforts of various stakeholders, particularly healthcare professionals. Our study highlighted a lack of knowledge among the surveyed healthcare professionals regarding breastfeeding.