Effects of an educational intervention on baccalaureate nursing students' knowledge and attitude in providing breastfeeding support to mothers

Breastfeeding provides many health benefits for both mother and baby, and mothers need support and encouragement in order to have breastfeeding success. National initiatives to promote breastfeeding support have been implemented in an effort to improve breastfeeding outcomes. The breastfeeding support that mothers receive should come from communities, healthcare providers, and nursing students. However, researchers reported that nursing students are not receiving the educational preparation to provide breastfeeding support that mothers need. The purpose of this study was to determine if an evidence-based educational intervention would have an effect on baccalaureate nursing students' knowledge and attitude in regard to breastfeeding support provided for mothers. A randomized pretest-posttest with comparison group design was used and breastfeeding knowledge and attitude scores were evaluated utilizing the Australian Breastfeeding Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire (ABKAQ). Students participated in an evidence-based breastfeeding lecture followed by participation in either a simulation role-play with a standardized patient for the experimental group or viewing of an educational breastfeeding video for the control group. Statistical analysis results revealed a significant difference in pretest and posttest scores in regard to the students' breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding. No significant difference was found in breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding pretest and posttest scores between the groups. Although the results of this study revealed that there were no differences in breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding between the experimental and control groups, providing students with the evidence-based educational interventions was beneficial as increased breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding were achieved. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries