Public Health Nurse Students’ Competences on Breastfeeding Counselling
Bhattacharya, Kati (2019)
Bhattacharya, Kati
2019
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019060113995
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019060113995
Tiivistelmä
This study assessed the self-reported attitudes, knowledge and behaviours of public health nurse students regarding breastfeeding counselling after participating in the breastfeeding counselling course provided by Laurea University of Applied Sciences. The study was conducted to evaluate guideline of the World Health Organization (WHO) about protection and promotion of breastfeeding in health facilities providing maternity care. The WHO and the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) have both committed to scale up breastfeeding rates globally and nationally for the health and wellness of infants and their mothers.
Previous research shows that breastfeeding has many health benefits for infants and their mothers. The breastfeeding counselling in the maternity clinics should be evidence based, should be in accordance with the official recommendations and it should be based on need and respect the family wishes.
The aim of this study was to assess the competences of Public Health Nurse students who participated in a breastfeeding counselling course provided by Laurea UAS. The specific objectives were to compare the self-reported breastfeeding knowledge, behaviours and attitudes according to age, gender, campus, working experience and own breastfeeding experience.
The data was collected by sending an e-questionnaire to three groups of public health nurse students and 45 responses were received. Two responds were deleted, so the total of responses was 43 (31,62%). Descriptive Statistics calculated and differences in breastfeeding competencies measured by comparing summated variables by independent sample t-tests by SPSS 23.0.
The results show good competences in breastfeeding counselling and good compliance with the WHO recommendations. The respondents disagreed with the recommendations conflicting with the national recommendations. Significant differences were found in supporting to establish and initiate breastfeeding between two campuses.
Further research is needed to assess the skills of public health nurses in breastfeeding counselling and it would be beneficial to assess the self-reported competences of health care professionals before and after attending the breastfeeding counselling course.
Previous research shows that breastfeeding has many health benefits for infants and their mothers. The breastfeeding counselling in the maternity clinics should be evidence based, should be in accordance with the official recommendations and it should be based on need and respect the family wishes.
The aim of this study was to assess the competences of Public Health Nurse students who participated in a breastfeeding counselling course provided by Laurea UAS. The specific objectives were to compare the self-reported breastfeeding knowledge, behaviours and attitudes according to age, gender, campus, working experience and own breastfeeding experience.
The data was collected by sending an e-questionnaire to three groups of public health nurse students and 45 responses were received. Two responds were deleted, so the total of responses was 43 (31,62%). Descriptive Statistics calculated and differences in breastfeeding competencies measured by comparing summated variables by independent sample t-tests by SPSS 23.0.
The results show good competences in breastfeeding counselling and good compliance with the WHO recommendations. The respondents disagreed with the recommendations conflicting with the national recommendations. Significant differences were found in supporting to establish and initiate breastfeeding between two campuses.
Further research is needed to assess the skills of public health nurses in breastfeeding counselling and it would be beneficial to assess the self-reported competences of health care professionals before and after attending the breastfeeding counselling course.