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Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the breastfeeding attitudes and knowledge of a sample of Australian general practice (GP) registrars and investigate how confident and effective they thought their interactions with breastfeeding women were. Between February and May 2007, a 90-item questionnaire containing demographic, attitude, and knowledge items was distributed to final-year Australian GP registrars. The mean attitude score (5 = maximum score) was 3.99. The mean knowledge score (5 = maximum score) was 3.40, indicating some degree of breastfeeding knowledge. However, 40% of the knowledge items were answered incorrectly by the majority of participants. Approximately 40% of the cohort were confident and thought they were effective assisting breastfeeding women. Having more than 26 weeks personal experience with breastfeeding (self or partner) increased breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and effectiveness. Further targeted training is needed to improve Australian GP registrars' breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and effectiveness. J Hum Lact. 24(4):422-430.

JHL-08-01-011 Breastfeeding and Australian General Practice Registrars—Their Knowledge and Attitudes Brodribb, Wendy El fin de este estudio fue identificar las actitudes y conocimientos sobre lactancia materna en una muestra de registrados de practica general (médicos generales) en Australia e investigar la confianza y efectividad durante interacciones con mujeres lactantes. Entre Febrero y Mayo del 2007 se distribuyó un cuestionario de 90 puntos sobre demografía, actitud y conocimiento en el último año de registrados de practica general de Australia. El puntaje promedio en actitud (5 = máximo puntaje) fue de 3.99. El promedio de puntaje en conocimiento (5 = máximo puntaje) fue de 3.40, indicando algún grado de conocimiento sobre lactancia materna. Sin embargo, 40% de los puntos sobre conocimiento se contestaron incorrectamente por la mayoría de los participantes. Aproximadamente 40% del cohorte tenían confianza y piensan que son efectivos en el apoyo a las mujeres lactantes. El haber tenido más de 26 semanas de experiencia personal con lactancia materna (propia o de compañera) aumentó el conocimiento, actitud, confianza y efectividad sobre lactancia materna. Promover entrenamiento más puntualizado a los registrados de práctica general en Australia es necesario para mejorar el conocimiento, actitudes, confianza y efectividad sobre lactancia materna.

Keywords

breastfeeding knowledge breastfeeding attitudes physicians general practice

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Breastfeeding and Australian GP Registrars—Their Knowledge and Attitudes

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