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Statewide Breastfeeding Education Program Improves Maternity Staff Knowledge, Attitudes and Self-Efficacy

Susie Amick, Jane Savage, Marci Brewer, Maeve Wallace and Sarah McKasson

Louisiana breastfeeding rates are among the lowest in the United States with associated infant mortality and morbidity rates among the highest. To increase maternity nursing staff breastfeeding knowledge and to improve attitudes and self-efficacy towards evidence-based promotion of breastfeeding, a six contact-hour program promoting the state’s breastfeeding initiative, The Gift, was presented in 35 maternity hospital programs from 2008 to 2012 with 1086 participants. Mean post-test scores increased by an average of 25% (p<0.01), a strongly significant knowledge increase. Post-program evaluation analysis indicated increased confidence, as well as improved attitudes and self-efficacy of participants to implement evidence-based maternity care practices on which the state breastfeeding initiative and the global Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives are based. Programs, such as state’s maternity staff education program are effective in increasing breastfeeding knowledge, a critical component in increasing breastfeeding rates for improved outcomes for women and infants.