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Are you Baby-Friendly? Knowledge deficit among US maternity staff
Radha Sadacharan1, Stephanie Santana, Emily Sanchez
1Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Summary
Many US hospital maternity staff incorrectly believe their facility is Baby-Friendly certified or do not understand the term. This highlights a significant gap in awareness regarding the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative in the United States.
Area of Science:
- Maternal and Child Health
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Public Health Initiatives
Background:
- The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) aims to promote optimal infant feeding practices.
- Despite its establishment in 1991, only 3% of US hospitals were BFHI-certified by 2010.
- Preliminary observations indicated widespread staff misinformation regarding BFHI status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the accuracy of maternity staff's knowledge about their hospital's Baby-Friendly certification status in the US.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide telephone survey was conducted in 2010-2011.
- Researchers contacted maternity services in US hospitals and inquired about BFHI status.
- Respondent's job title and understanding of "Baby-Friendly hospital" were recorded.
Main Results:
- Out of 2851 surveyed hospitals, only 3% were actually Baby-Friendly certified.
- A significant majority (62%) of staff incorrectly claimed their hospital was Baby-Friendly.
- 15% of staff did not understand the term "Baby-Friendly hospital," with knowledge varying by job title.
Conclusions:
- Most US maternity staff surveyed demonstrated a lack of accurate knowledge regarding Baby-Friendly certification.
- The findings underscore a critical disconnect between the BFHI's goals and staff awareness.
- Targeted education is needed to improve understanding and accurate reporting of BFHI status among healthcare providers.
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