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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Sonia Marrone, MA¹, Nancy Vogeltanz-Holm, PhD¹, Jeff Holm, PhD¹, Lisa Peterson, BS², and Margaret Flaget³. (1) Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of North Dakota, Box 9037, UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037, 701-777-3032, sonia.marrone@und.nodak.edu, (2) Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, Box 8380, Grand Forks, ND 58201, (3) Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013

Few studies have examined university students' attitudes toward breastfeeding and to date, no studies have been published evaluating the effectiveness of educational interventions for promoting breastfeeding among university students. The purpose of the current study was to (1) examine women's and men's attitudes and knowledge toward breastfeeding, and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention designed to increase knowledge and positive attitudes toward breastfeeding. Epidemiological data was gathered for 161 undergraduate students (111 women and 50 men) to assess attitudes, knowledge, and intentions of breastfeeding. For the educational intervention, 27 participants (12 intervention, 15 control) received the standard lecture on breastfeeding as part of a human sexuality course curriculum. The intervention group attended an additional 60-minute group-session on breastfeeding. Epidemiological data showed that attitudes were significantly associated with breastfeeding knowledge and exposure to breastfeeding. Gender and age differences indicated that women and individuals older than 20 years of age scored higher on measures of breastfeeding knowledge. Individuals older than 20 years of age also scored higher on measures of attitudes than individuals younger than 20 years of age. Exploratory multiple regression showed that attitude toward breastfeeding was the only significant predictor of breastfeeding intentions. Educational intervention participants scored significantly higher on post-intervention measures of breastfeeding knowledge compared to controls, but intention to breastfeed did not change. University students may be an important target group for breastfeeding promotion because understanding the attitudes of young adults could provide insight into the factors that influence intentions to breastfeed.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to

• Identify factors related to attitudes toward breastfeeding among university students.;
• Describe an intervention designed to increase attitudes toward breastfeeding among university students.; and
• Discuss the outcomes of an intervention targeting university students for breastfeeding promotion.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No