Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about Exclusive Breastfeeding among Women in Italy

Diana Cascone, Davide Tomassoni, Francesco Napolitano and Gabriella Di Giuseppe
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Diana Cascone: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Luciano Armanni, 5 80138 Naples, Italy
Davide Tomassoni: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Luciano Armanni, 5 80138 Naples, Italy
Francesco Napolitano: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Luciano Armanni, 5 80138 Naples, Italy
Gabriella Di Giuseppe: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Luciano Armanni, 5 80138 Naples, Italy

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-11

Abstract: Background: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of women about breastfeeding in Italy. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out between January and June 2016 in the Campania Region among mothers who were going to six public vaccination centers. Data were collected by two researchers through face to face interviews. Results: Two thirds of the women had heard on exclusive breastfeeding (64.6%) and the 71% of them knew that exclusive breastfeeding should be practiced for at least six months. Nearly all mothers had breastfed their child (93.2%), but only 33.3% of them had practiced exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months. Women who agree that breastfeeding creates a positive relationship between the mother and the child, who practiced exclusive breastfeeding during the hospital stay, and who had received breastfeeding advice at hospital discharge were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months. Conclusions: The results of this survey may be helpful to policy makers and managers when planning educational interventions on breastfeeding both during pregnancy and during hospital admissions for delivery. Indeed, there is a need to increase efforts to make mothers aware of health benefits of breastfeeding for themselves and their offspring during their hospital stay after delivery. This research has the potential to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates and subsequent maternal and child health outcomes.

Keywords: exclusive breastfeeding; knowledge; Italy; practices; survey; women (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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