BREASTFEEDING KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS OF A SPANISH UNIVERSITY AND ANOTHER BOLIVIAN

https://doi.org/10.56274/rcs.2023.2.2.20

Abstract

Introduction: Breastfeeding is the fundamental basis of infant feeding, and its duration is influenced, among other factors, by the advice of health care providers. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge of breastfeeding of medical students. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out by means of a self-administered survey conducted by the Breastfeeding Committee of the Spanish Pediatric Association. The mean and frequency of responses to each question were calculated by course, university and globally. The study was carried out at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Spain and the Universidad Autónoma Gabriel René Moreno, Bolivia. In the fourth and sixth year students of both universities. Results: At the Rey Juan Carlos University the mean was 58%, 46% in the fourth year and 68% in the sixth year. At the Universidad Autónoma Gabriel René Moreno the mean was 56 %, 48 % in the fourth year and 66 % in the sixth year. Significant differences were found between fourth and sixth year in both universities (p<0.05), but not between universities. Conclusions: Sixth year students have an acceptable level of knowledge about breastfeeding after taking the Pediatrics course (68 % and 66 %). It is important to define and evaluate the competencies that a student should acquire about breastfeeding.