Impact of Education and Training on Community-Based Breastfeeding Counselors
Author Information
Author(s): Sullivan Elizabeth M, Bignell Whitney E, Andrianos Anne, Anderson Alex K
Primary Institution: University of Georgia
Hypothesis
How do the educational background and training of community-based breastfeeding counselors affect the type of care they provide?
Conclusion
Different programs use varying training curricula for community-based breastfeeding counselors, and continuing education significantly influences the counseling techniques they employ.
Supporting Evidence
- Educational attainment of CBBCs is not a significant predictor for the curriculum used in their training.
- Initial training duration is positively associated with the use of many breastfeeding support skills.
- Continuing education is a significant determinant of the counseling techniques used with clients.
Takeaway
This study found that the education and training of breastfeeding counselors can change how well they help new mothers, especially if they keep learning after their initial training.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study using an online survey distributed to community-based breastfeeding counselors across the United States.
Potential Biases
Self-reported data may introduce bias, and the lack of demographic data on clientele limits the analysis of the effectiveness of counseling.
Limitations
The study could not determine the response rate, relied on self-reported data, and lacked demographic information about the clientele served.
Participant Demographics
Participants were predominantly white/Caucasian (74.9%), with a majority having post-high school education (90.3%).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 0.12, 0.39
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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