Community Pharmacists’ Perceptions of the most Important Interventions Implemented in Supporting Breastfeeding Women During Maternal Life: A Cross-Sectional Study in Jordan

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to investigate and analyze community pharmacists' perspectives on the most essential interventions implemented to support breastfeeding women during their maternal life in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed using a self-administered survey. A convenience sample (n = 381) of community pharmacists was recruited via social media resources. Responses were subject to various statistical analyses using SPSS. Key Findings: In the study with 381 participants, the majority were females (86.4%, n=329) aged between 23 and 30 (78.7%, n=300). A total of 55.1% (n=210) had previous breastfeeding experience. Pharmacists (65.9%, n=251) stressed the significance of health education for improved breastfeeding support. During prenatal care, 42% (n=160) underscored the importance of engaging parents, while 37% (n=141) highlighted the need for additional lactation support during the delivery stage. Finally, 34.4% (n=131) identified serving as an informational resource for the "mother-baby dyad" as being crucial in the postnatal stage. Conclusions: The study spotlights the critical role of pharmacists in breastfeeding support, underscoring the importance of tailored interventions based upon their demographics and perceptions. These insights provide invaluable guidance for optimizing community pharmacists' contributions to maternal care.