| Abstract [eng] |
In Lithuania only 25.7% of babies are exclusively breastfed (BF) up to 6 months. Evidence has proved that prenatal teaching on BF and lactation management(LM) can prolong exclusive BF. Objective: to determine the influence of prenatal BF training over the rates of exclusive BF and the initiation of complementary feeding(CF) and to assess the mothers‘ knowledge and efforts in solving BF-related problems. Tasks: 1.Assess the influence of prenatal BF training over the rates and length of exclusive BF. 2. Assess the influence of prenatal BF training over the initiation of CF. 3. Assess the knowledge and efforts in solving BF-related problems by mothers who have undergone and who haven‘t undergone prenatal BF training. 4. Determine mothers‘ attitudes toward the length of BF and the factors influencing this length. 5. Determine mothers’ attitudes toward the personnel’s assistance at the initiation of BF. Methods: The investigation was carried out at the IRSMN at the MF of VU and the NNC in 2006 – 2008. The survey included 50 women raising children aged 6–18 months, having completed a prenatal BF and LM course (“intervention group” IG) and 50 - raising children of the same age but having not completed such course (“control group” CG). The first part of the anonymous questionnaire was aimed at determining the practices of BF and initiating CF, the successful BF factors, the assessment of assistance in BF and trust in nurses in solving BF-related problems; the second - a test aimed at determining the women’s knowledge of BF and LM contributing to successful BF. The analysis of the data was made using the SPSS statistical analysis software, version SPSS 13.0. The data were processed by calculating the absolute values and percentage shares of the indicators; the Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficient (r) was used to determine the correlation among features; the reliability of group differences was measured by the χ2 test; the data is considered reliable when p<0.001, p<0.01, p<0.05. Results: 99% participants exclusive BF at least 1 month in the survey. The exclusive BF period was longer by 2 months on average or 1.5 times longer in the IG compared to the CG. The women in the IG had the period of exclusive BF ≥6 months (80%) three times as often as the national average rate (25.7%) and statistically reliably were exclusively BF longer for ≥6 months compared to the CG (χ²=32.526, p<0.001). One third (31%) of the respondents started giving CF to their babies before 4 months of age, however, it has been established that women in the IG statistically reliably have started CF later (p<0.001). The mean of correct answers to statements relevant to BF and LM in the groups was m1 = 14.64 (SD 0.749), m2 = 9.88 (SD 3.651),(χ²=28.205, p<0.001). Women in the IG tended to seek help in solving problems more frequently, choosing alternative forms of assistance (mother-to-mother, breastfeeding consultant). It has been established that for the mothers who gave correct answers to a larger number of statements the period of exclusive BF was statistically reliably longer (χ²=24.527, p<0.001). The women in the IG have planned to BF their babies for nearly twice as long as the women in the CG, inner motivation and will was identified as a guarantee of successful BF more often than in the CG, which gave preference to external factors (χ²=17.650, p<0.05). The women evaluated the personnel’s assistance in the maternity units (delivery hospitals) as “good” and “fair”, however, specific forms of assistance were evaluated as “fair” or “negative”. The assistance received at an outpatient clinic after child-birth was evaluated as “fair” and “negative” by most women. The women trusted the doctor more than the nurse (24%/12%); the breastfeeding consultant is trusted most (48%).Conclusions: The prenatal education on BF and LM prolongs the length of exclusive BF and ensures initiation of CF in due time. |
