CONOCIMIENTOS DEL PERSONAL DE ENFERMERÍA SOBRE LACTANCIA MATERNA

Objective: this study aimed to identify the amount of knowledge about BF possessed by nursing staff in an obstetric care facility during 2016. Methodology: this was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The study sample comprised the entire nursing staff (n, 71) of the obstetrics department. A questionnaire containing sociodemographic and knowledge-related variables was administered; questions regarding knowledge-related variables were constructed based on the World Health Organization-recommended document for training health care staff. Knowledge-related variables analyzed were anatomical and physiological bases of the mammary gland, proper handling of breast conditions, acceptable medical reasons for the use of breastmilk substitutes, 10 steps toward successful BF, and how to successfully help BF mothers. The quantitative variables were evaluated using central tendency measures, and the qualitative variables were calculated according to absolute and relative frequency. Results: The correct response percentage in 4 of the 5 factors evaluated was below 50%, he average knowledge of the variables are as follows: anatomical and physiological bases, 29.3%; proper handling of breast conditions, 43%; acceptable medical reasons for the use of breastmilk substitutes, 21.8%; 10 steps toward successful BF, 75.8%; and how to successfully help BF mothers, 35.2%. Conclusion: nursing staff in obstetric care facilities require a better understanding of the concepts involved in BF to be more assertive in the education they provide to BF mothers.