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McGuinness D, Ni Mhurchu S, Frazer K, Bhardwaj N, Cornally P, Cantwell M, Cullen M, McNamara E, McDonald R, Carroll L, Cullen W, Kincaid R, Vickers N. A co-designed evaluation study to identify Breastfeeding Knowledge of General Practitioners' and Practice Nurses'. Health Promot Int 2024; 39:daae021. [PMID: 38452240 PMCID: PMC10919884 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daae021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization and American Academy of Paediatrics recommend exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with complementary solid foods for up to 2 years and beyond. Despite the well-established importance of breastfeeding, Irish rates remain the lowest in Europe. Healthcare professionals' breastfeeding knowledge and skills have a positive impact on increasing breastfeeding rates. There is limited evidence of the knowledge, attitudes or practices of general practitioners (GPs) and general practice nurses (GPNs), which is essential to breastfeeding in Ireland. The aim of this study was to evaluate the breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes and practices of GPs and GPNs in one community healthcare organisation (CHO) in Ireland. A co-designed evaluation study was used following low-risk ethical exemption (LS-LR-22-161). A modified version of a validated breastfeeding questionnaire was developed. A Project Steering Committee was established that included patient, and public involvement stakeholders. The anonymised survey was distributed via online Qualtrics platform (November 2022-February 2023). STROBE Guidelines were utilised. The overall response rate was 25.9% (n = 121) and valid responses were reported in the article. The total population size was n = 468 (GPs n = 290 and GPNs n = 178). Our pilot study identified that 42.7% (n = 47/110) of respondents never attended a breastfeeding education programme, and 53.9% (n = 55/102) identified that their knowledge could be improved. The majority of respondents, 92.9% (n = 92/99) wish to complete further education in breastfeeding. The results of this pilot study in one CHO in Ireland indicate a gap in knowledge and a need for specific breastfeeding and lactation theoretical and skills training for GPs and GPNs working in primary care to support, promote and protect breastfeeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise McGuinness
- School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Siobhan Ni Mhurchu
- Child Health Programme Development Officer, HSE Community Healthcare Organisation, Dublin North City & County, Tonlegee Health Centre, Dublin 5, D05 K2E6, Ireland
| | - Kate Frazer
- School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Nancy Bhardwaj
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sport Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Paula Cornally
- School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Marie Cantwell
- HSE Community Healthcare Organisation, Dublin North City and County, HSE Unit 1,2,3, Nexus Building, Block 6A, Blanchardstown Corporate Park, Ballycoolin, Eircode D15 CF9K, Ireland
| | - Marina Cullen
- Rotunda Hospital Parnell Square East, Rotunda, Dublin 1, D01 P5W9, Ireland
| | - Edel McNamara
- Department of Health Promotion and Improvement, Health and Wellbeing Division, HSE Dublin North City and County Community Healthcare, 1st Floor, Unit 4 Nexus Building, Block 6A Blanchardstown Corporate Park, Dublin 15, D15 CF 9K, Ireland
| | - Rita McDonald
- Regional Centre for Nurse & Midwifery Education, Academic Centre, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, D15 X40D, Ireland
| | - Lisa Carroll
- Rotunda Hospital Parnell Square East, Rotunda, Dublin 1, D01 P5W9, Ireland
| | - Walter Cullen
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | | | - Niamh Vickers
- School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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