Breastfeeding knowledge & attitudes: Comparison among post-licensure undergraduate and graduate nursing students

Abstract

Research aims: The aims of this study are to compare the knowledge and attitude scores between undergraduate and graduate nursing students and to identify the variables associated with higher breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes.

Background: Nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding greatly impact their roles in promoting and supporting breastfeeding. However, they may not have sufficient knowledge and/or positive attitudes to support and advocate for these families. Many studies focused on professional nurses or undergraduate students' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Few studies included registered nurses enrolled in post licensure undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.

Design: A cross-sectional, prospective, and descriptive study.

Methods: A convenient sample of 95 nursing students (50 undergraduate and 45 graduate) was recruited from an ethnically diverse, urban university in Southern California. Students voluntarily completed an online survey adapted from Brodribb, et al. (2008). Bivariate analysis was conducted to identify relationships between study variables.

Results: Compared to undergraduates, graduate students scored higher on knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding (p < 0.001). Students' perception of their prior academic breastfeeding preparation was not related to their current knowledge and attitudes. Age, having children, exclusively breastfed own baby, and duration of personal breastfeeding were positively associated with attitudes and knowledge (p < 0.05 for all variables). Years of nursing experience (p = .01) was positively associated with attitudes only.

Conclusions: Compared to academic preparation, age, having children, and personal breastfeeding experiences seem to be better indicators of breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes. Nursing programs should exert more effort in enhancing curricular evidence based breastfeeding education. More research is needed to support these efforts.

Keywords: Academic programs; Breastfeeding attitude; Breastfeeding education; Breastfeeding knowledge; Nursing students; Post licensure Registered Nurses.