Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108652

Tony Ogburn, MD¹, Eve Espey, MD, MPH², Anne Merewood, MA, IBCLC³, and Barbara L. Philipp, MD, IBCLC³. (1) Department of OB/Gyn, University of New Mexico, MSC 10 5580, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, 505-272-6383, jogburn@salud.unm.edu, (2) Department of OB-GYN - 4ACC, University of New Mexico, 2211 Lomas Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, (3) Division of General Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Maternity Building, 4th Floor, 91 East Concord St., Boston, MA 02118

Introduction: Women's health care providers use General Ob/gyn textbooks as a resource for information about breastfeeding. Studies have found that information on some topics contained in medical texts may not be accurate or complete. Coverage of breastfeeding in Pediatrics textbooks was found to be incomplete, inconsistent or inaccurate. A study of intrauterine devices in Ob/Gyn textbooks found much information inaccurate and often presented in a negative manner contrary to available evidence. The purpose of this study is to assess breastfeeding information contained in general Ob/gyn textbooks for accuracy and completeness. Methods: The most widely used Ob/gyn textbooks have been identified based on U.S. sales figures. A code sheet previously developed for assessing Pediatrics textbooks was modified and will be utilized to assess the information contained in each Ob/gyn textbook. The four authors will review each book independently. Assessments will be combined to obtain a single score for each text. Results: One investigator has reviewed the texts with preliminary findings indicating that information is incomplete and inaccurate in many areas. The reviews of the other investigators are currently in progress. Conclusion: Preliminary findings indicate that general Ob/gyn textbooks do not adequately cover breastfeeding information. Final data will be presented and should be useful to practitioners and educators in selecting and recommending textbooks for clinical or educational purposes. Accurate information is essential for providers to successfully support breastfeeding mothers and infants.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the learner will be a able to

• Describe basic breastfeeding information that should be included in Ob/Gyn textbooks
• Assess textbooks for appropriate coverage of breastfeeding information
• List Ob/Gyn textbooks that provide satisfactory breastfeeding information breastfeeding

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation