Maternal breastfeeding: A comparative study of knowledge and management among family health strategy professionals and those using the traditional model

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate and compare knowledge and quality of management of maternal breastfeeding (MB) among professionals operating within the Family Health Strategy (FHS) and those working in basic health units using the traditional model, in the municipality of Rio Grande in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, in 2012. Methods: 269 professionals answered a questionnaire designed to evaluate their knowledge and management of MB by way of scores of satisfactory, regular and unsatisfactory. Comparison was carried out using Fisher’s exact test and Student’s t test to compare the means. The analysis also examined the effect of various other variables independent of the model of care. Results: only 22 (8.2%) and 50 (18.6%) of professionals attained a score of satisfactory for knowledge and management respectively, with FHS professional performing significantly better than those using the traditional model, (p<0.05), with the exception of auxiliary nurses and technical assistants in the case of the management (p=0.05). Conclusions: the performance of professionals was found to fall short of expectations among those who deal directly with breastfeeding, especially those using the traditional model. This demonstrates the need for professional training as a way of effectively promoting the success of MB.