Author:

• Maria Inês Couto de Oliveira - Maria Inês Couto de Oliveira - Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro - Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), MEB (Epidemiologia e Bioestatística) - <marinesco@superig.com.br> +

Co-author(s):

• José Rodrigo de Moraes - Moraes, J.R - Univerisidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Estatística - <jrodrigo@id.uff.br>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4814-5076
• Patricia Carvalho de Jesus - de Jesus, Patricia Carvalho - Universidade Federal Fluminense, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva - <pcj.nutricao@gmail.com>

Thematic Area:

Epidemiologia

Abstract:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the 15 hospitals with more than 1000 deliveries/year in Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil, to verify the association between health professional training in breastfeeding and professional knowledge, skills and practices. 215 health professionals were interviewed, 48.4% working in Baby-Friendly Hospitals, by means of a questionnaire adapted from this initiative’s revaluation instrument. The three outcomes, dichotomized, were analyzed by bivariate (p&#8804;0,20) and multivariate analyzes (p&#8804;0.05). Adjusted prevalence ratios were obtained by Poisson regression model. 48.1% of the professionals had adequate knowledge, 58.9% adequate skills and 74.9% reported adequate practice. A theoretical and practical breastfeeding training &#8805; 18 hours, considered adequate (performed by 65.6% of the professionals) showed significant association with professional knowledge (aPR=1.575), skills (aPR=1.530) and practices (aPR=1.312). Less working time was associated with less knowledge (aPR=0.723), but with better practices (aPR=1.183). Nursing staff reported better practices than physicians (aPR=0.808) and other categories (aPR=0.658). This study concludes that training contributes to improve knowledge, skills and practices in breastfeeding, essential to maternal and child care.

Keywords:

training breastfeeding knowledge professional practice Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative

Content:

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