Affiliation:
1. Hassan First University of Settat, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Laboratory of Health Sciences and Technologies, Morocco
Abstract
Background/Aims Training nursing and midwifery students is essential to support breastfeeding reinforcement plans. Various scales have been developed to assess knowledge acquired during training. This study was conducted to explore these instruments. Methods A systematic review of online databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Science-Direct, Cochrane Library and PubMed) was performed. Studies published in English from 2013 were included. Results Five studies that used validated instruments were included in the review. An additional scale, the breastfeeding knowledge assessment form, was identified but had only been tested once. Most tools were designed to assess mothers' knowledge, and no instruments were developed for nursing and midwifery students. Factors that influenced knowledge and its acquisition among nursing and midwifery students included the lack of training courses on breastfeeding for undergraduate students. Conclusions There is a lack of such instruments specifically designed for nursing and midwifery students. A comprehensive training module should be included in undergraduate curricula based on WHO and the UNICEF educational requirements.