Knowledge of Iraqi primary health care physicians about breastfeeding

A questionnaire survey was conducted on 50 primary health care physicians in Ramadi city, Iraq, in 2001 to assess their knowledge and identify misperceptions about breastfeeding. Basic knowledge about the main processes of breastfeeding was good (when to start feeding, frequency of feeding, relactation, importance of psychological factors), but there were deficiencies in their ability to deal with some practical problems related to breastfeeding. Only 64% would advise continuation of breastfeeding when a lactating mother discovers that she is pregnant, 38% of them thought a mother's ability to breastfeed was related to breast size and only 66% knew when to start feeding after caesarean section. Steps for improving the knowledge and training are addressed.