QUALITY IMPROVEMENT COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR NURSE SERVICE PROVIDERS IN BREAST FEEDING.

Abstract

This study aimed to improve the quality of counseling for nurse service providers in breast-feeding field, plan and implement a health promotion program based on the previously detected needs of nurses toward quality of breast-feeding counseling, and evaluate the degree of the mother's satisfaction toward quality of breast-feeding courlseling. The study was conducted in the out patient clinic and in patient departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics in Benha University Hospital. Selected the sample included all nurses n:sponsible of breast-feeding in Benha University. (50 nurses and a systematic random sample of 50 mothers who practice breast-feeding. The tools included (I) an• interviewing questionnaire to assess nurse•s knowledge toward breast feeding counseling, (2) an observational checklist to assess quality of breast feeding counseling, and 13) a Mother Satisf H:tion tool according to Banco., (1998) to assess mother" s satisfad ion regarding breast feeding. The stud:-,• showed that nurse•s knowledge and .practice scores regarding quality• of breast-ti:cdi11g counseling improved significantly in all aspects atier appl:cation of the health promotion program. The study recommended the dc,cloputg of a training program and a written standard about quality imprm .-•ntl'nt counseling of breast-feeding for each hospital to protect and support breast-feeding, and have them communicated to all health care proYiders. Periodical continuing education courses should be held to keep nurses up to date in their knowledge and perli.)nnance about quality improvement counseling for breast-feeding and periodic appraisal evaluation for their performance should be done.