• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.379-388
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• 1999

Breastfeeding is an excellent way of feeding infants and continues to be an important source of nutrition and antibodies for infants. Although breast-feeding is believed to be important, the rate of breastfeeding among Korean women is very low. One reason for the low breastfeeding rate is that the health professionals in the past have given little practical help couples to overcome difficulties encountered during breastfeeding. The promotion of breastfeeding has recently become a high priority among health professionals because of the undisputed physiological, psychological, social, economic, and nutritional benefits. Fathers have been found to influence the course of breastfeeding, but no one has conducted a systematic investigation into in and included fathers perspectives of breastfeeding in Korea. It is important to find strategies to solve the problems by assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of breastfeeding with fathers as well as mothers. The purpose of this research is to find ways to promote primiparous(first child) couples's breastfeeding by assessing their general knowledge, attitude and practice of it. More specifically its purposes is to identify the relationship between knowledge, attitude, practice and the background factors of breastfeeding of primiparous couples in order to promote and support breastfeeding. The data will help health professionals to guide first-pregnancy couples to prepare and overcome any difficulties encountered during breastfeeding. Data were collected through a questionnaire which included both structured and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was composed referencing earlier literature, studies and surveys. This survey was made postpartum 2-3days after childbirth on 96 couples. The numbers of subjects for data analysis were selected 51 couples through pilot screening test. Data were coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences : Cronbach's alpha coefficient, T-test, ANOVA, Stepwise pearson's correlation coefficient. The relations between the variables of breastfeeding were examined using a Pearson's correlation coefficient. This study showed that, the internal validity of the instrument was tested by Cronbach's alpha. The result was : mother knowledge 0.72, mother attitude 0.88, and father knowledge 0.70, father attitude 0.92, practice 0.76 and planning of breast feeding 0.95. The average age of mothers in the sample was 28.9 years old, and the average age of fathers in the sample was 31.3 years old. The other descriptive informations available included. the study also found that fathers were more important than doctors or nurses. However results of the study indicate that there were no differences between father and mother knowledge of breastfeeding(t=-0.39, p=0.698), and father attitude was statistically significant higher than mother attitude of breastfeeding (t=2.24, p=0.030). In analysis, the variable 'practice' with breastfeeding was the relationship with mother knowledge (p=0.031) and mother attitude(p=0.015). In this study, the correlation between one couple' knowledge and attitude was not significant. Primiparous couples surveyed in the postpartum period regarding knowledge, attitude and practice about breastfeeding might be affected by recall bias, the effects of the euphoria of the first 24-48 hours postpartum, but these variables were not examined. This study results add to the body of knowledge about nursing care for breastfeeding mothers and fathers. This indicates that a need for education about breastfeeding and, that fathers be included in it as well as mothers.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.89-98
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify effects of breastfeeding knowledge, attitude, and barriers on breastfeeding practice on twin mothers and to provide basic data for successful breastfeeding for twins. Methods: Participants were 151 mothers with two to twelve months-old twins. Data were collected from online support groups by an online survey. Results: Mean score for breastfeeding knowledge was $18.34{\pm}4.63$, for breastfeeding attitude was $3.61{\pm}0.51$, and for barriers to breastfeeding was $13.35{\pm}1.08$. The breastfeeding practice rate was 27.8% when twins were two months old. The breastfeeding knowledge was significantly different depending on mother's occupation, number of children, utilization of postpartum caretaker, and age of the children. There were significant differences in the breastfeeding attitude depending on gestational week of twins, planned length of the breastfeeding, and decision period for the breastfeeding. The practice of the breastfeeding was significantly different depending on the number of children. Factors influencing the breastfeeding practice were the breastfeeding attitude (p<.05), age of mother (p<.01), and the number of children (p<.01). Conclusion: An educational program and expert-led supportive system that is designed for twins are necessary, and they need to be included in prenatal care in order to have positive attitude for the breastfeeding as well as to breastfeed successfully.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.270-279
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was done to investigate the level of breastfeeding satisfaction, the relationship among knowledge about breastfeeding, attitude toward breastfeeding, self-efficacy of breastfeeding, intention of breastfeeding, and perceived social encouragement of breastfeeding and the factors influencing breastfeeding satisfaction in mothers 3~6 months after birth. Methods: For this descriptive research, 209 mothers who had been breastfeeding their babies agreed to participate in this study. Data on mother's satisfaction' knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, intention, and perceived social encouragement regarding breastfeeding were collected by closed-ended questionnaires on September 14, 2007 at a contest for healthy breast-fed babies. Results: The major findings of this study were as follows: First, there were significant differences in the breastfeeding satisfaction level according to planned length of breastfeeding (F=10.43, p<.001). Second, there was a significant relationship between breastfeeding satisfaction and knowledge about breastfeeding (r=.37, p<.001), attitude toward breastfeeding (r=.62, p<.001), self-efficacy of breastfeeding (r=.66, p<.001), intention of breast feeding (r=.40, p<.001), and perceived social encouragement of breastfeeding (r=.32, p<.001). Finally, the strongest factor affecting mothers' breastfeeding satisfaction was attitude toward breastfeeding ($\beta=.38$). Other factors included self-efficacy of breastfeeding ($\beta=.36$), knowledge about breastfeeding ($\beta=.14$), perceived social encouragement of breastfeeding ($\beta=.10$), and planned length of breastfeeding ($\beta=.10$). Conclusion: This study suggests that nurses should help mothers improve breastfeeding satisfaction through promotion of knowledge about, attitudes toward, and self-efficacy of breastfeeding.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.179-188
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study was examine levels of breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and number of breastfeeding problems in early postpartum period and rate of breastfeeding practice at 3 months. Method: The total numbers of the study subjects were 139 mothers at postpartum unit and followed by postpartum 1 week and 3 months. Result: 1. The mean score of knowledge and attitude and problems toward breast feeding scale were 22.83(SD=5.19), 20.99(SD=3.40), and 9.04(SD=3.59) respectively, indicating low to moderate level according to subjects characteristics, breastfeeding knowledge scores were significantly different by age (F=8.00, p<.001), breastfeeding experience (t=3.26, p<.001) and parity(t=2.39, p<.05), but no difference were found in rate of breastfeeding attitude and number of problems. 2. Rate of breastfeeding practice was 46.5% at three months of postpartum and the breastfeeding practice was significantly different by breastfeeding plan period($x^2$=13.33, p<.001) and monthly income ($x^2$= 3.80, p<.05). 3. Further, breastfeeding practice at 3 months was continuously influenced by number of problems of the breast-feeding(OR=.85) and breastfeeding plan period(OR=2.11) at early postpartum period. Conclusion: The findings suggest the necessity of maternal support during postpartum period to provide correct information about rate of breastfeeding knowledge and attitude to teach problem solving skills for any breastfeeding problems in order to increase rate of breastfeeding practice.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a targeted, practical education intervention on university students' knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding. Methods: A university curricular intervention was designed for students to increase their knowledge and positive attitude toward breastfeeding issues. The participants attended a breastfeeding education lectures two hours of weekly for fifteen weeks in university; 61 students (female, n=31 and male, n=30) participated. The pre- and post-measurements included future breastfeeding intention, knowledge, attitude and perceived control beliefs scores based on the results of a questionnaire. Results: The statistical analysis results revealed a significant difference in the pretest and posttest scores (0.57 to 5.10 points, p<0.001) in regard to the students' breastfeeding knowledge. For female students, significant differences were observed in the future breastfeeding intention (p<0.05), knowledge (p<0.001), and attitudes towards breastfeeding (p<0.05) between the pretest and posttest scores. For male students, there were no significant differences in the future breastfeeding intention, attitudes towards breastfeeding, and perceived control beliefs scores after the breastfeeding education lecture. Conclusions: This study showed that the implementation of practical breastfeeding educational interventions helped improve university students' knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding. In summary, despite the limitations, it is necessary to pay more attention to improving students' knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding through university curricula.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.240-249
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the future plan for infant feeding practice and its associated factors among university students so as to develop focus for nutritional education program for the promotion of breastfeeding. The subjects were 301 students (males 130, females 171). The results obtained were as follows. In this survey, the subjects had a basic knowledge of breastfeeding and lactation, especially of the ingredient of breastmilk. However they were not well informed about the physiology and method of breastfeeding and benefits of breastfeeding for mothers. The average scores far attitude toward breastfeeding and lactation were 3.09 points on a 4 point scale, which indicated a slightly positive attitudes toward breastfeeding. However the participants had a negative attitude toward its emotional and practical aspects. Their future plan for infant feeding was breastfeeding 40.3%, formula feeding 3.0% and mixed feeding 56.7%. A concern was that the students showed a high rate with regard to a mixed feeding plan, and Dey decided this based on an incorrect knowledge of breastfeeding. The group who planned to breastfeed in the future (BF) showed higher scores with respect to knowledge and attitudes than those who planned to formula feed or mixed feed (FF + MF). Therefore, to encourage mothers to breastfeed and support breastfeeding, breastfeeding nutritional education is urgently needed among university students. In addition, nutrition education programs should promote the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and the physiology and practical method of breastfeeding. Also a practical and culturally sensitive course about food and nutrition is recommended to inform participants about breastfeeding. (Korean J Community Nutrition 8(2) : 240∼249, 2003)

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to utilize an extended Theory of Planned Behavior in identifying predictors of exclusive breastfeeding intention and behavior among women in Kelantan, Malaysia. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted, recruiting pregnant womenthrough two-stage cluster sampling. Their exclusive breastfeeding intention, attitude, perceived norm, perceived behavioral control and past behavior were obtained at baseline through interviewer-guided questionnaire. At one month after delivery, another interview was conducted to determine the two additional variables in the extended theory, which were their postpartum support and breastfeeding difficulty. The behavior, which was the actual duration of exclusive breastfeeding, was obtained from the second follow-up at six months. Pearson correlation and two hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 200 women completed the study follow-up. Their median intended exclusive breastfeeding duration was 4.0 (IQR 5) months, and the median actual duration was 1.0 (IQR 4) month. The Theory of Planned Behavior explained 51.0% of the variance in intention, with perceived behavioral control and attitude were the significant predictors. It also explained 10.0% of the variance in behavior, but the addition of postpartum support and breastfeeding difficulty increased the amount of explained variance in behavior by 6.0%. The significant predictors of exclusive breastfeeding behavior were intention, postpartum support and breastfeeding difficulty. CONCLUSION: The extended Theory of Planned Behaviorhad a good predictive ability in explaining exclusive breastfeedingintention and behavior. The women's intention to practice exclusive breastfeeding may be improved by improving their perceived behavioral control and attitude. Providing correct postpartum support and skills to handle breastfeeding difficulties after delivery will improve their exclusive breastfeeding behavior.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.76-84
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and nursing practice of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses. Methods: Survey methodology using a self administered questionnaire was employed as the research design. A total of 153 questionnaires from 7 university hospital NICUs in Seoul, Daejeon, and Daegu were used for data analysis. Results: The percentage of correct answers on the breastfeeding knowledge questions for the NICU nurses was 59.3%. The nurses in NICU reported a somewhat positive attitude to breastfeeding, mean per item $3.70{\pm}0.41$ on a scale of 5 points. Their breastfeeding nursing practice was at a moderate level, mean per item, $3.26{\pm}0.74$. Breastfeeding knowledge had significant correlations with breastfeeding attitude (r=.554, p<.001) and nursing practice (r=.203, p=.002). Also, There was a significant correlation between breastfeeding attitude and nursing practice (r=.243, p=.002). Conclusion: These results suggest that breastfeeding educational programs and strategies for NICU nurses should be developed to increase their breastfeeding knowledge, attitude, and nursing practice.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.423-434
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate factors that affect behaviors of reducing exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in breastfeeding mothers. Methods: Subjects were 166 breastfeeding mothers who were recruited from January 25 to April 15, 2018. The questionnaire consisted of items associated with behaviors of reducing exposure to EDCs, attitude to behaviors of reducing exposure, subject norms of behavior of reducing exposure, and perceived behavior control. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: Factors influencing behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs were attitude toward behaviors of reducing exposure, perceived barrier, and period of lactation. The more positive the attitude toward behaviors of reducing exposure was, the lower the perceived barrier. The longer the feeding period, the higher the behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs. Conclusions: To enhance behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs, it is necessary to develop a positive educational program in breastfeeding department to improve attitude toward behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs, decrease perceived barrier, and increase the breastfeeding period.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.95-100
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• 1999

Objectives. This study surveyed medical students attending clerkship to assess their attitude toward and knowledge about breastfeeding, and self-confidence to manage common breastfeeding problems. Methods. A self-report questionnaire was administered to the 323 medical students at four medical colleges in Taegu in May 1997. The response rate was 92.9%, but the respondents used in the final data analysis were 245 (75.8%) due to missing variables. Results. Overall, respondents showed equivocal attitudes toward breastfeeding (mean score 2.9 on a 6-point scale). Knowledge about breastfeeding was substantially low with the median % correct 39.2%. Of nine knowledge areas, weak areas were especially 'contraindications and barriers to breastfeeding', 'use of breastfeeding aids', 'expression and storage of breast milk'. Those reported to be confident to manage common breastfeeding problems were only 25.7%. Correlations between knowledge and self-confidence were not statistically significant except in college A (r=0.35, p<0.05). Correlations between knowledge and attitude were not significant. Conclusions. These results suggest that medical students attending clerkship in Taegu show equivocal attitudes toward breastfeeding, low self-confidence to manage common breastfeeding problems and have substantially limited level of knowledge. There should be more concerted efforts to improve this situation on the part of those involved in breastfeeding education.