Nurses' Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Behavioral Intentions Toward Support of Breastfeeding Mothers

Abstract

Fifty maternal-newborn nurses and 136 breastfeeding mothers participated in a prospective study designed to identify characteristics of nurses and external factors that influence nurses' ability to provide effective informational, technical, and emotional support to breastfeeding mothers and their infants. Ajzen and Fishbein's theory of reasoned action guided the study. Using questionnaire data, multiple regression analyses revealed that the nurses' supportive behavior was best predicted by their breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes. The nurses' intentions to provide support did not influence their actual behavior. Breastfeeding knowledge deficits also were identified. Because breastfeeding knowledge is predictive of nurses' supportive behavior, that knowledge must be accurate and complete to promote breastfeeding success and be considered helpful by the mother.

Telling stories about breastfeeding through Facebook: The impact of user-generated content (UGC) on pro-breastfeeding attitudes

“…Behavioral belief about supporting breastfeeding women was measured by NSBG (Nurses' Support for Breastfeeding Questionnaire) behavioral belief subscale 3 items with 7-point Likert scales (e.g., ''If I provide support to a breastfeeding mother and the baby, they will achieve breastfeeding success'') (Bernaix, 2000) (a = .873). Attitude toward supporting breastfeeding women was measured by NSBQ attitude subscale 9 items with 7-point semantic differential scales (e.g., ''For me, providing support to breastfeeding mothers is''.…”

“…. ''unimportant-important,'' ''irrelevant-relevant'') (Bernaix, 2000) (a = .945). Role model perception (breastfeeding women as ideal self [a = .928] and ought self [a = .936] models) was measured with modified 6 items (3 items for each) from Higgins' self-discrepancy scale (Higgins et al, 1985).…”

Conhecimento de estudantes de um curso de Enfermagem sobre aleitamento materno

“…Based on an extensive review of scientific literature on the subject breastfeeding and nursing graduate education, researches were found on the knowledge and attitude of health professionals, including nurses, demonstrating the importance of support by a qualified professional, so that maternal breastfeeding can be successful (6)(7)(8) . Some results show that, among health professionals, nurses have the largest gap in technical and scientific knowledge to provide care and effective support for someone (7) .…”

“…Some results show that, among health professionals, nurses have the largest gap in technical and scientific knowledge to provide care and effective support for someone (7) . They emphasize that academic preparation is flawed and does not give the nurse the necessary attributes to act specifically on this issue (7) .…”

“…Some results show that, among health professionals, nurses have the largest gap in technical and scientific knowledge to provide care and effective support for someone (7) . They emphasize that academic preparation is flawed and does not give the nurse the necessary attributes to act specifically on this issue (7) . Study with a focus on nurse training in breastfeeding found that only 25% of nurses indicated that their nursing graduate education was the greatest source of knowledge acquired on breastfeeding (8) .…”