Knowledge, Attitude and Practical Skills among Staff Nurses Regarding Breastfeeding and COVID-19.

Abstract

Background: Staff nurses must protect, promotes and support mothers to breastfeed especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. Their knowledge, experience and skills may influence their ability to do this. Moreover, only limited research is available in this context. Objectives of the study: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practical skills on breastfeeding including during COVID-19 pandemic of staff nurses working in Obstetrics and Paediatrics departments of a Tertiary care hospital in Puducherry. Methods: Hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted among 55 staff nurses for period of three months using a pre-designed structured questionnaire. Practical skills were observed using Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness strategy and UNICEF guidelines. Collected data were analysed using Epi_Info (version_7) software.Results:About 72.7% of them had good knowledge about EBF and  67.3% had on early initiation of breastfeeding. More than half of Staff nurses has knowledge on importance of breastfeeding of COVID-19 mothers and positive attitudes in supporting breastfeeding even during COVID-19.Out of 55 staff nurses, 74% were able to demonstrate and explain correct feeding position,49.1% illustrated hygienic practices to be followed by covid-19 positive mother while breastfeeding and only 7.3% were able to demonstrate hand expressing techniques and illustrated management of sore nipple. Only 5.5% showed different holds in breast. Conclusion:Though majority of staff nurses had desirable knowledge in major domains of breastfeeding but still lack knowledge and practical skills in some domains like breastfeeding of COVID-19 mothers, EIBF and management of sore nipples. This emphasizes the need for conducting comprehensive and regular training for staff nurses on breastfeeding especially during COVID-19 pandemic.