¿Cuánto saben de lactancia los sanitarios del área materno-infantil? Estudio de los 14 hospitales públicos de Castilla y León / How much do healthcare workers in the mother & child health area know about breastfeeding? A study of the 14 public hospitals in Castile & Leon

RESUMEN

Introducción: la lactancia materna es un objetivo prioritario en salud pública. Los profesionales sanitarios que trabajan en el área materno-infantil de los centros hospitalarios deben poseer un adecuado nivel de conocimientos de lactancia materna. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo trasversal realizado durante enero-febrero de 2015 utilizando el cuestionario validado ECola, que se adapta a ginecólogos, matronas y enfermería. Para los técnicos auxiliares de enfermería (TCAE) se utiliza el cuestionario de Temboury Molina MC, modificado por los autores. La población de estudio fueron todos los profesionales sanitarios del área materno-infantil de los 14 hospitales públicos de Castilla y León. Resultados: en total se recibieron 724 cuestionarios (61,0%). Considerando aceptable el 70% de aciertos (16,8 puntos), los profesionales de enfermería presentan un nivel de conocimientos en lactancia bueno (18,19) y significativamente superior (p <0,05) a los médicos (17,01). Las matronas han presentado la media de aciertos mayor (20,03). Los ginecólogos, con 15,24 puntos, poseen un nivel inferior al recomendable. Los TCAE, con 16,93 puntos, manifiestan conocimientos suficientes, pero en el límite inferior. Se observaron diferencias significativas entre los distintos centros hospitalarios. Globalmente, el nivel de conocimientos de los profesionales del área materno-infantil de los hospitales públicos de Castilla y León es suficiente (17,54). Conclusiones: el nivel de conocimientos de los profesionales del área materno-infantil en global es aceptable. Algunas categorías profesionales presentan carencias en aspectos trascendentales para el adecuado manejo de la lactancia materna. Se debe considerar la necesidad de implementar formación en lactancia en los currículos formativos, especialmente ginecólogos y TCAE

ABSTRACT

Introduction: breastfeeding is a priority objective in public health. Health care professionals involved in the delivery of hospital-based maternal and child health services need to have adequate knowledge of breastfeeding. Material and methods: we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in January and February 2015 using the validated questionnaire ECola, which we adapted for administration to gynaecologists, midwives and nurses. To survey nursing assistant technicians (NATs), we adapted the questionnaire developed by Temboury Molina MC, modified by the authors. The study universe consisted of all health care professionals involved in the delivery of maternal and child health services in the 14 public hospitals of Castilla y León. Results: we received a total of 724 questionnaires (61.0%). Having defined a threshold of 70% of correct answers (16.8 points) to define adequate knowledge, nurses had an adequate knowledge of breastfeeding (18.19) that was significantly better (p < 0.05) compared to physicians (17.01). Midwives had the highest mean score (20.03). Gynaecologists, with a mean score of 15.24 points, had a level of knowledge considered inadequate. Nurse assistants, with a mean score of 16.93 points, exhibited adequate knowledge but close to the lower limit. We found statistically significant differences in knowledge between the providers working in different hospitals. Overall, the level of knowledge of professionals working in maternal and child health in public hospitals in Castilla y Leon was adequate (17.54). Conclusions: overall, the level of knowledge of health professionals involved in delivery of maternal and child health services was adequate. Some categories of professionals lacked knowledge in aspects that are essential to the adequate management of breastfeeding. We need to consider the need to include training in breastfeeding in educational curricula, especially those of gynaecologists and NATs