Naslov
The Effect of In-Patient Breastfeeding Counseling on Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates

Autori
Šegvić, Olga ; Vučković, Ana ; Lozančić, Toni ; Ćaran, Marija ; Barić, Ana ; Božinović, Toni ; Rumboldt, Mirjana ; Zakarija-Grković, Irena

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, ostalo

Skup
16th WONCA European Conference

Mjesto i datum
Málaga, Španjolska, 06.10.2010. - 09.10.2010

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
exclusive breastfeeding; health professionals; breastfeeding counselling; maternity hospital

Sažetak
Introduction: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life ensures optimal growth, development and health and hence is recommended by all leading health authorities. The timing and advice provided by maternity hospital staff may influence mothers’ breastfeeding skills and attitudes towards exclusive breastfeeding. Aim: To determine whether mothers who received breastfeeding counselling in hospital were more likely to exclusively breastfeed at 48 h, 3 and 6 months postpartum than those who did not receive any counselling and to assess the effect of timing on exclusive breastfeeding rates. Methods: Between February and June 2008, 326 mothers were interviewed at the University Hospital of Split’s postpartum ward and followed up by phone at 3, 6 and 12 months. The WHO definition of exclusive breastfeeding was applied (no food or fluids apart from medicines, vitamins or minerals). Breastfeeding counselling comprised of nursing staff offering individual help with breastfeeding. Results: Results: From a total of 326 mothers, 16% did not receive any breastfeeding counselling while in hospital and 68% were offered advice several hours after birth. Those who received counselling within 6h of birth were significantly more likely to be exclusively breastfeeding at 48h (p<0.001) than the rest. A positive effect of breastfeeding counselling was seen with 32.08% and 33.94% of mothers who had received advice within or after 6 hours, respectively, exclusively breastfeeding at 3 months vs. 26.92% of mothers who did not receive any counselling (p<0.001). The exclusive breastfeeding rate at 6 months was significantly higher (11.32%) for mothers who received counselling than for those who did not (5.77%) or who were counselled later (3.17%). Conclusion: Breastfeeding counselling provided by health professionals, especially within the first six hours post-partum, has a significant effect on exclusive breastfeeding rates. Family doctors may fill the gap where in-hospital breastfeeding counselling is insufficient.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA