Breastfeeding attitudes, knowledge and behavioural intention among pregnant women in Cluj county

摘要

Objectives: Maternal knowledge and attitudes about infant feeding are found to be significant predictors of breastfeeding initiation. The present study pursues to explore knowledge and attitudes as predictors of breastfeeding intentions in pregnant women in Cluj county, as well as to identify other factors which increase the attitude-behaviour correspondence in this context. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of pregnant women attending prenatal care (n¼336), in two gynaecology clinics in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Previous and intended infant feeding methods and exposure to attitudes-related information were assessed; knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding were measured using a Romanian validated version of the Iowa Infant Feeding Scale, the IIFAS-R. Results: Evidence suggests high breastfeeding initiation intent rates (93.5%), but IIFAS-R mean scores were situated in the neutral rage (m¼63.2, SE¼2.6), expressing neutral attitudes. As a result, additional factors were considered in the in the attempt to predict breastfeeding behaviours using attitudes. Conclusions: In this rapidly changing environment, it is important to continue collecting data on infant feeding knowledge, attitudes and prevalence to gain insight into the attitudes behaviour relation, for the development of culturally responsive interventions.