Deficiencies in the Intentions, Attitudes, and Knowledge of Future Healthcare Professionals Regarding Breastfeeding

The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge, positive intentions, and attitudes regarding breastfeeding among university students. A validated questionnaire collected data from 236 students of the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek about breastfeeding intentions, attitudes, and knowledge. Descriptive methods were used to present the students' results in terms of their intentions, attitudes, and knowledge. For each question included in the questionnaire, the maximum possible and maximum achieved numbers of points were calculated, as well as the percentage of points achieved in relation to the maximum possible number. Correlations between the results on individual scales of the questionnaire and the total results of the questionnaire are shown by Spearman's correlation coefficient. Questionnaire answers that were least in line with professional recommendations were selected and analyzed. We found that the areas that should be given special attention in the education of students are: the intention of breastfeeding for more than a year; the use of breaks for breastfeeding in the workplace; attitudes and knowledge about the quality of breast milk in relation to substitutes; attitudes about breastfeeding in public places and breastfeeding for more than two years; and the feeling of maternity and breastfeeding (compared to bottle feeding). The relationship between the results was considered in terms of intentions, attitudes, and knowledge in relation to the overall results of the questionnaire, and the authors' thoughts on the reasons behind the poorer results achieved for certain questions were presented.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to assess university students' knowledge, intentions, and attitudes towards breastfeeding. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data from 236 students, focusing on their breastfeeding intentions, attitudes, and knowledge. Descriptive methods were employed to present the results of students' intentions, attitudes, and knowledge. The correlations between individual questionnaire scales and the overall questionnaire results were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Key areas of concern in student education were identified, such as the intention to breastfeed for more than a year, breaks for breastfeeding at the workplace, knowledge and attitudes regarding the quality of breast milk versus substitutes, attitudes towards breastfeeding in public places and extended breastfeeding, as well as the perception of maternity and breastfeeding compared to bottle feeding. The authors also discussed possible reasons for poorer results obtained in certain questionnaire items.