Thai nurses' beliefs about breastfeeding and postpartum practices

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Maternal and Child Health
• Cultural Anthropology

Background:

• Cultural beliefs significantly influence health behaviors.
• Nurses play a crucial role in infant feeding and postpartum care.
• Understanding the impact of traditional beliefs versus evidence-based practices on nursing is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate traditional Thai beliefs regarding breastfeeding and postpartum care among nurses.
• To assess the influence of these beliefs on current nursing practices.
• To identify discrepancies between traditional beliefs and evidence-based recommendations.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted with 372 nurses in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
• Questionnaires were developed from literature reviews and interviews with Thai women.
• Descriptive statistics and Chi-square analyses were used to analyze data.

Main Results:

• Discrepancies were found between nurses' beliefs and evidence-based practices.
• Many nurses adhered to traditional practices like food restrictions and hot baths.
• Some supported potentially harmful traditional beliefs, such as discarding colostrum or giving boiled water to neonates.

Conclusions:

• Traditional beliefs can conflict with evidence-based breastfeeding and postpartum care.
• There is a need for professional development to update nursing knowledge and practices.
• Culturally appropriate care models are essential for improving maternal and infant outcomes.