A Survey of Female College Students' Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Breastfeeding

여대생의 모유수유 지식 및 태도 조사

  • Published : 2008.06.30

Abstract

Breastfeeding is an ideal approach for physical and emotional development of babies, as well as recovery of mothers. A breastfeeding education for female students seems to be an effective intervention to increase the Korean women breastfeeding rate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and other related breastfeeding variables for developing a design for a pre-parental breastfeeding educational information for Korean female students of childbearing age. The sample consisted of 205 Korean female college students, ranging in age from 20 to 25 years old. In this study, a self-administered questionnaire included 6 pages with close-ended multiple-choice questions, and included a cover page with 15 questions on demographic characteristics and personal experiences related to breastfeeding. Data analysis was done utilizing inferential statistics using SPSS 12.0 computer program. The findings indicated that breastfeeding education programs should focus on the practical aspect of attitudes toward. breastfeeding, and that educational information design should focus on the practical aspects of breastfeeding for all. levels of students' education by nurses. Therefore, education for female college students seems to be an effective intervention to increase breastfeeding rate. This study is useful for descriptions of educational activities to help female students develop positive attitudes to breastfeed, to help these students have confidence toward breast-feeding in future by providing correct information and practical techniques on breastfeeding.

Keywords

References

  1. Goulet C, Lampron A, Marcil I, Ross L (2003): Attitudes and subjective norms of male and female adolescents toward breastfeeding. J Human Lactation 19(4): 402-10 https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334403258337
  2. Greene J, Stewart-Knox B, Wright M (2003): Feeding preferences and attitudes to breastfeeding and its promotion among teenagers in Northern Ireland. J Human Lactation 19(1): 57-65 https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334402239735
  3. Houston MJ (1986): Breastfeeding, fertility and child health : a review of international Issues. J Adv Nursing 11(1): 35-40 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.1986.tb01217.x
  4. Hyun TS, Kim KN, Kang NM, Lim EY (2001): Prenatal beastfeeding education and infant feeding practices in public health centers and baby-friendly hospitals. Korean J Community Nutr 6(4): 678-685
  5. Hyun TS, Kim KN, Kang NM, Lim E (2002): The Economic Benefits of Breastfeeding. Korean J Community Nutr 7(6): 863-871
  6. Jeong GH (1997): Effect of nursing intervention program on promoting the breastfeeding practice in primipara. Doctoral thesis, Graduate School of Ewha Womans University
  7. Kang NM (1999): Primiparous Couples" Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding Breastfeeding). Korean J Women Health Nurs 5(3): 379-388
  8. Kang NM, Hyun TS, Kim KN (2000a): Breastfeeding Belief and Attitudes of Physicians and Nurses. Korean J Women Health Nurs 6(3): 348-357
  9. Kang NM, Hyun TS, Kim KN (2000b): Breasting Encouragement and Support of Health Professionals in the Hospitals. Korean J Women Health Nurs 6(3): 357-363
  10. Kang NM, Song Y (2005): Support and Education to Promote Breastfeeding of Korean Women. Businees Education Review 37(2): 203-216
  11. Kim, HS (1995): Health care professionals' attitudes, knowledge and confidence on breastfeeding : Metropolitan areas of south Korea. Korean J Women Health Nurs 1(2): 243-253
  12. Kim YH, Lee KD (1995): A study on the growth and development of infant and determinants of obesity. Korean J Community Nutr 1(2): 217-223
  13. Kim, KN, Kang NM, Hyun TS (2002a): A Survey on the Feeding Practices of Women for the Development of a Breastfeeding Education Program. Korean J Community Nutr 7(3): 345-353
  14. Kim, KN, Hyun TS, Kang NM (2002b): Infant feeding practices and the factors that influence feeding practices among women in Seoul and the Chungbuk area. Korean J Community Nutr 8(3): 288-301
  15. Kim, Y (1998): The effects of a breastfeeding campaign on adolesent Korean women. Pediatric Nursing May-June 24(3): 235-236
  16. Leffler D (2000): US high school age girls may be receptive to breastfeeding promotion. J Hum Lact 16(1): 36-40 https://doi.org/10.1177/089033440001600107
  17. Martens PJ (2001): The effect of breastfeeding education on adolescent beliefs and attitudes: a randomized school intervention in the Canadian Ojibwa community of Sagkeeng. J Hum Lact 17(3): 245-255 https://doi.org/10.1177/089033440101700308
  18. Poverty KM (1991): WIC and promotion of breast-feeding. Pediatrics 87(3): 399-400
  19. Mariorie R. Sable CB (1998): Patton. Prenatal Lactation Advice and Intention to Breastfeed: Selected Maternal Characteristics. J Hum Lact 14(1): 35-39 https://doi.org/10.1177/089033449801400113
  20. Sarah K.F.Kong, Diana TF (2004): Factors influencing decision to breastfeed, J Adv Nurs 46(4): 369-379 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2004.03003.x
  21. Yeo, JH (2005): Influencing Factors in Breast Feeding Duration. Korean J Women Health Nurs 11(2): 142-147
  22. Wambach, KA, Cole C (2000): Breastfeeding and Adolescents. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 29(3): 282-294 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2000.tb02050.x
  23. Williams, EL, Hammer LD (1995): Breastfeeding attitudes and knowledge of pediatricians-in-training. Am J Prev Med 11(1): 26-33 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(18)30497-5