Document Type

Final Project

Graduation Date

8-2021

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

First Advisor

Amy Ford

Second Advisor

Leeza Struwe

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is recognized by health experts as the preferred infant feeding method. Health professionals, especially nurses, play a vital role in influencing mothers’ infant feeding decisions. This quality improvement project designed, implemented, and evaluated by nurses explores how the implementation of three simple initiatives impacted healthcare staff’s attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions related to breastfeeding.

Materials and Methods: The project was led by three Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students with guidance from their DNP prepared advisor. It took place in a primary care setting at a federally qualified health center. Prior to and after implementation, staff were invited to complete an eight-item survey, which used a 5-point Likert scale to measure breastfeeding attitudes, comfort in referring patients to resources, and perception of the breastfeeding environment. Initiatives included: the development of a champion group, display of supportive breastfeeding visuals, and disbursement of a presentation highlighting breastfeeding importance and resources.

Results: 62 staff completed the pre-test (n=31) and post-test (n=31) surveys. A subsample of 12 staff completed both surveys. Most respondents were female (98.4%), White/Caucasian (69.4%), and non-Hispanic (72.6%). Among the total sample and subsample, there was favorable change for each of the eight items. A summary global mean score was computed resulting in statistically significant (pdof 0.63 among the subsample (n=12). Results were similar when stratified between direct and indirect care roles among the subsample with the global mean score dropping by 2.43 points for direct care and 2.80 points for indirect care.

Conclusion: Healthcare staff reported more favorable breastfeeding attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions following implementation of simple initiatives. Nurses and nurse practitioners play a pivotal role in delivering primary care for expectant and recently delivered mothers and developing quality improvement projects aimed at improving health outcomes for these patient populations. More research is needed to determine if results are associated with patient breastfeeding metrics.

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