Knowledge and Attitude of Physicians about Breast Feeding

Aim of Study: To identify deficiency in knowledge of physicians as regard breast feeding. Subjects and Methods: A total of 60 physicians (46 general practitioners, 9 pediatricians and 5 obstetricians) offering health care to breastfeeding mothers and/or their children at the Primary Health Care, Pediatrics and Obstetrics Gynecology Departments and clinics at the Armed Forces Hospital, Southern Region, KSA were interviewed. A special questionnaire to assess knowledge of physicians was used. Results: The present study indicated that none of the physicians could attend any continuing medical education on breast feeding. High knowledge was expressed by 3.3% of physicians, while 35% had poor knowledge. Almost three fourths expressed positive attitude toward breast feeding. Most physicians provide health education about breast feeding (88.3%). The main reasons for not providing health education were that male physicians do not get into contact with mothers or that physicians do not have specific time allocated left for provision of health education (8.3% for both). Knowledge scores significantly and positively correlated with both age of physician (r=0.274, p=0.034) and experience of the physician in medical practice (r=0.259, p=0.046). Knowledge scores were significantly higher among Non-Saudis than Saudis (11.84±2.26 vs. 10.55±2.32, respectively, p=0.038). Physicians who provide health education had significantly higher total knowledge scores than those who do not provide health education (11.66±2.17 vs. 9.14±2.67, respectively, p=0.007). Conclusions: Physicians are well qualified but their knowledge needs to be promoted. Their attitude toward breast feeding is generally positive. Knowledge of physicians positively correlates with age and years of experience. Non-Saudi physicians enjoy higher knowledge than Saudi physicians. The main reasons for not offering health education are that male physicians cannot get into contact with mothers and also that physicians do not have specific time allocated left for provision of health education. Recommendations: Knowledge of physicians needs to be promoted. Attending conferences and training courses should be encouraged and supported. To overcome the social barriers that limit the freedom of male physicians to offer health education to mothers, it is recommended to organize group health educational sessions. The high standards for recruiting Non-Saudi physicians must be fulfilled. Arabic-speaking physicians are preferred to communicate easily with mothers. An interventional education pre- post- research for both physicians and mothers should be implemented to identify the effectiveness of health education on knowledge of physicians and breast feeding practices of mothers