The Current Status of Breastfeeding Knowledge and Its Influencing Factors in Nursing Undergraduates: A Cross-Sectional Study in China

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the breastfeeding knowledge of nursing undergraduates and the influencing factors. Human milk (HM) is one of the most effective nutritional supplies to improve early development and physical health, but the current status of breastfeeding in China is still not optimal. The breastfeeding knowledge of perinatal women influences their feeding beliefs and behavior. Nursing undergraduates, as core professionals who will care for perinatal women and provide feeding guidance in the future, can significantly affect feeding behavior of mothers and their babies, so their knowledge of breastfeeding may have a potential impact on breastfeeding in China. However, studies on breastfeeding knowledge among nursing undergraduates in China are limited. A convenience sampling method was conducted in four medical universities in China, and eligible nursing undergraduates were selected. An online survey was collected from 5 July 2022 to 5 August 2022. Categorical data were reported as number and percentage, while continuous data were reported as mean ± SD. Multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate the association between influencing factors and breastfeeding knowledge. The overall mean score of the 460 returned questionnaires was 43.991 out of 100. The pass rate of the questionnaire was only 23.04%. Nursing undergraduates had a relatively better grasp of the benefits of breastfeeding and related advice (correct rates: 67.83%). Birthplace, only child or not, the course in obstetrics and gynecological nursing, the course in pediatrics nursing, and placements in maternity or neonatology units were relevant factors for breastfeeding knowledge (p < 0.05). Nursing undergraduates showed unsatisfactory breastfeeding knowledge. It is urgent to raise the knowledge level of breastfeeding among nursing undergraduates. Medical colleges should optimally structure a curriculum of breastfeeding knowledge. Furthermore, it is also necessary to improve the public’s understanding of breastfeeding and the whole society’s attention to breastfeeding in China.