Knowledge and Attitude Assessment of Medical and Nursing Female Students at Al-Azhar University in Cairo; For their Anticipated Breastfeeding Support

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is a critical first step on a child’s path to a healthy future. Despite its benefits, breastfeeding is no longer a norm in many communities. Inadequate support and lack of information by healthcare professionals were risk factors affecting breastfeeding failure. Although many studies identified knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding among mothers, little is known about knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding among medical and nursing students in Egypt. Aim: This study is aiming to assess knowledge, attitude and anticipated practices of medical and nursing female students at Al-Azhar University to provide breastfeeding support. Participants and methods: A cross sectional study, conducted at Al-Azhar University in Cairo during the academic year (2018-2019) on a sample of 440 female students from faculty of medicine and faculty of nursing. Results: Regarding knowledge, the finding of the study revealed very good level of knowledge (mean percent score of knowledge was 75.23%±7.37) and most of studied groups had neutral attitude (78.4%). Mean score of anticipated practices among them was 63.97±6.64 indicating average level. Conclusion and recommendation: This study reflects very good level of knowledge, neutral attitude and average anticipated practices level among undergraduate female students in medical and nursing faculties at Al-Azhar University. So, it is crucial to focus on students’ education and training as a fundamental aspect in improving future health care providers’ knowledge, skills and experience needed in clinical practice. This will affect students’ attitudes towards breastfeeding and will reflect on their anticipated practices.