Objectives: Many health promotion educational interventions assume that increasing knowledge directly influences beliefs, intentions and behaviour, whereas research suggests that knowledge alone is insufficient for behavioural change. Social cognition frameworks such as the Theory of Reasoned Action propose a central role for beliefs and social normative influences. This Scottish study evaluates the role of knowledge and social influences (subjective norms, exposure to breast-feeding, social barriers) on beliefs and future intentions to breast-feed or bottle-feed. Social influences from family and peers are investigated. Design: A cross-sectional between-subjects observational design was used. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 229 (46%) male and 267 (54%) female adolescents aged 11 -18 years. Setting: Participants completed questionnaires during lessons at three secondary schools in Central Scotland.

Examining the correspondence of breastfeeding and bottle-feeding couples' infant feeding attitudes This report focuses on the comparison of infant feeding attitudes within breastfeeding (n = 126) and bottle-feeding (n = 101) couples and their socio-demographic details. The findings from this study reinforce the view that socio-demographic factors are associated with the mothers' choice of feeding method. However, this study highlights the influence of maternal and of paternal knowledge and attitudes which distinguish between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding couples. Fathers of bottle-feeding babies were found to have limited knowledge of health benefits of breastfeeding to both mothers and infants. However, bottle-feeding mothers, when compared with their partners, were more supportive towards bottle feeding and less negative towards breastfeeding. Fathers of breastfeeding babies, compared with their partners were found to be less aware of the benefits of breastfeeding. Furthermore, breastfeeding mothers when compared with their partners were more supportive towards breastfeeding. Fathers of both bottle and breast feeding babies were also found to be more embarrassed than their partners about mothers in general breastfeeding in front of nonfamily members. It seems that bottle-feeding mothers and all fathers could be better prepared in many aspects of breastfeeding by the nursing professions to allay the many misconceptions and the social embarrassment associated with breastfeeding, by providing appropriate information and support.

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In this study non-responders were found to be more similar to bottle-feeding responders than to breastfeeding responders. Furthermore, non-responders were more likely to be smokers, from lower social class and to bottle feed. This study also showed that the non-responders were more undecided about their feeding intention at the time of the booking visit. Invariably a higher percentage of mothers who were undecided at the booking visit chose to bottle feed their babies at discharge. These results highlight the impact of failing to include information from non-responders when conducting research which examines patterns of infant breastfeeding and attitudes towards it.

Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is a live vaccine preparation containing attenuated strains of all 3 viruses. MMR vaccine is widely used throughout the world, with the US having the widest experience with the vaccine. In countries where the vaccine has been introduced successfully, significant reductions in all 3 diseases for which it is protective have occurred. The vaccine has been shown to be highly immunogenic, with seroconversion rates of 95 to 100% being achieved for each of the 3 component vaccines. This immunity appears to be long-lasting and may even be lifelong. Minor adverse effects may occur approximately 1 week after immunisation. Rarely, mumps vaccine-induced meningitis (milder than that associated with wild mumps virus) may occur, its frequency varying with the strain of attenuated mumps virus contained in any particular vaccine. Clinically, the vaccine is indicated for infants aged between 12 and 15 months, and should be administered by intramuscular or deep subcutaneous injection. A few specific contraindications exist, including a genuine hypersensitivity to eggs, and to the aminoglycoside antibiotics kanamycin and neomycin. An increasing number of countries are now adopting a 2-stage MMR policy in an attempt to prevent epidemics among those who remain unprotected, and to move towards eventual disease eradication.