• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.379-388
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• 1999

Breastfeeding is an excellent way of feeding infants and continues to be an important source of nutrition and antibodies for infants. Although breast-feeding is believed to be important, the rate of breastfeeding among Korean women is very low. One reason for the low breastfeeding rate is that the health professionals in the past have given little practical help couples to overcome difficulties encountered during breastfeeding. The promotion of breastfeeding has recently become a high priority among health professionals because of the undisputed physiological, psychological, social, economic, and nutritional benefits. Fathers have been found to influence the course of breastfeeding, but no one has conducted a systematic investigation into in and included fathers perspectives of breastfeeding in Korea. It is important to find strategies to solve the problems by assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of breastfeeding with fathers as well as mothers. The purpose of this research is to find ways to promote primiparous(first child) couples's breastfeeding by assessing their general knowledge, attitude and practice of it. More specifically its purposes is to identify the relationship between knowledge, attitude, practice and the background factors of breastfeeding of primiparous couples in order to promote and support breastfeeding. The data will help health professionals to guide first-pregnancy couples to prepare and overcome any difficulties encountered during breastfeeding. Data were collected through a questionnaire which included both structured and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was composed referencing earlier literature, studies and surveys. This survey was made postpartum 2-3days after childbirth on 96 couples. The numbers of subjects for data analysis were selected 51 couples through pilot screening test. Data were coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences : Cronbach's alpha coefficient, T-test, ANOVA, Stepwise pearson's correlation coefficient. The relations between the variables of breastfeeding were examined using a Pearson's correlation coefficient. This study showed that, the internal validity of the instrument was tested by Cronbach's alpha. The result was : mother knowledge 0.72, mother attitude 0.88, and father knowledge 0.70, father attitude 0.92, practice 0.76 and planning of breast feeding 0.95. The average age of mothers in the sample was 28.9 years old, and the average age of fathers in the sample was 31.3 years old. The other descriptive informations available included. the study also found that fathers were more important than doctors or nurses. However results of the study indicate that there were no differences between father and mother knowledge of breastfeeding(t=-0.39, p=0.698), and father attitude was statistically significant higher than mother attitude of breastfeeding (t=2.24, p=0.030). In analysis, the variable 'practice' with breastfeeding was the relationship with mother knowledge (p=0.031) and mother attitude(p=0.015). In this study, the correlation between one couple' knowledge and attitude was not significant. Primiparous couples surveyed in the postpartum period regarding knowledge, attitude and practice about breastfeeding might be affected by recall bias, the effects of the euphoria of the first 24-48 hours postpartum, but these variables were not examined. This study results add to the body of knowledge about nursing care for breastfeeding mothers and fathers. This indicates that a need for education about breastfeeding and, that fathers be included in it as well as mothers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.303-311
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• 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and educational needs regarding breast feeding of women's mothers and mother-in-laws with a grandchild aged less than 24 months. The degree of knowledge regarding breast feeding was 14.84 points out of 25 points, while the attitude toward breast feeding was 83.88 points. Additionally, 16.4% of the respondents reported that education regarding breast feeding was unnecessary. There were significant differences in knowledge regarding breast feeding among individuals of different age (p<0.05), economic status (p<0.05), and with different aged grandchildren (p<0.05). Additionally, there were significant differences in attitude toward breast feeding based on the type of feeding (p<0.05), the practice of breast feeding (p<0.01), and reasons for low breast feeding rate (p<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between knowledge regarding breast feeding and attitude toward breast feeding. The factors affecting knowledge regarding breast feeding were attitude toward breast feeding and middleclass economic status. In addition, the factors affecting attitude toward breast feeding included knowledge of breast feeding and the practice of breast feeding. Overall, the subjects had high educational needs regarding breast feeding; therefore, women's mothers and mother-in-laws should be given the opportunity for various types of education to improve their breast feeding knowledge.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.69-79
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate middle school students' knowledge and attitudes related to breast feeding. Methods: The knowledge and attitudes related to breast feeding were measured by structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation, using the SPSS/WIN 17.0 program. Results: The level of knowledge of breast feeding was 9.02 points out of 25 points, in average. Attitudes towards breast feeding was 3.77 points out of 5 points, in average. There were significant differences in the knowledge of breast feeding according to grade, feeding type, family type, experiences of observing breast feeding, experiences of obtaining breast feeding information, will to practice breast feeding, and the reasons for low breast feeding rate. There were significant differences in attitudes towards breast feeding according to gender, grade, feeding type, family type, experiences of observing breast feeding, experiences of obtaining breast feeding information, timing of breast feeding education, will to practice breast feeding, and the reasons for low breast feeding rate. There was a significant positive correlation between the knowledge of breast feeding and attitudes towards breast feeding. Conclusion: Middle school students should be provided with various education programs to improve their knowledge of and attitudes toward breast feeding.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.367-373
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• 2008

Breastfeeding is an ideal approach for physical and emotional development of babies, as well as recovery of mothers. A breastfeeding education for female students seems to be an effective intervention to increase the Korean women breastfeeding rate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and other related breastfeeding variables for developing a design for a pre-parental breastfeeding educational information for Korean female students of childbearing age. The sample consisted of 205 Korean female college students, ranging in age from 20 to 25 years old. In this study, a self-administered questionnaire included 6 pages with close-ended multiple-choice questions, and included a cover page with 15 questions on demographic characteristics and personal experiences related to breastfeeding. Data analysis was done utilizing inferential statistics using SPSS 12.0 computer program. The findings indicated that breastfeeding education programs should focus on the practical aspect of attitudes toward. breastfeeding, and that educational information design should focus on the practical aspects of breastfeeding for all. levels of students' education by nurses. Therefore, education for female college students seems to be an effective intervention to increase breastfeeding rate. This study is useful for descriptions of educational activities to help female students develop positive attitudes to breastfeed, to help these students have confidence toward breast-feeding in future by providing correct information and practical techniques on breastfeeding.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.128-139
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of an individual breast-feeding promotion program to address breast-feeding knowledge, attitude, method and rate of practice for married immigrant women. Methods: A non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental design was used (experimental group=16, control group=17). The intervention consisted of 3 phases: (1) Within 2 hours of delivery - individual breast-feeding training through video/verbal/practical training education and demonstration (2) After 1~2 days - group training using video, model doll, and breast models (3) After 7 days - family visit, counseling, retraining and reinforcement training. The data were analyzed using non-parametric tests with the SPSS program. Results: Married immigrant women who participated in the individual breast-feeding program scored high in knowledge, attitude, method and rate of practice compared to the control group. Conclusion: The results indicate that the individual breast-feeding program is very effective in increasing breast-feeding knowledge, attitude, method and rate of practicing breast feeding for married immigrant women. So, nurses are encouraged to aggressively utilize individual breast-feeding programs to help married immigrant women, who are exposed to vulnerability due to various situations.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.569-577
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• 2000

This study was carried out to investigate the feeding practices, growth status and correlation with maternal perceptions of breast feeding and lactation with infuts' feeding methods in the Pocheon area. The subjects were 103 infants ranging from 3 to 21 postpartum months and their mothers. The results obtained were as follows : In this survey, 36.9% of the infants were breast-feeding, while 53.4% of them were bottle-feeding, and 9.7% of them were mixed-feeding. The reason for bottle-feeding was due mainly to the lack of breast-milk secretion. Z-scores of weight-f3r-age and height-for-age were similar to Korean standards, but malnutrition and overnutrition were also noticed by kaup index and WLI. The average maternal perceptions of breast-feeding and lactation was 3.7 out of 10 possible points, the breast-feeding group scored 4.7, and formula-feeding and mixed-feeding group scored 3.0. That of BF group was higher than FF+MF groups and was positively correlated with growth status. Therefore to ensure proper growth of infants and to promote breast-feeding, efforts should be given to community nutritional services including nutrition education for the importance of colostrum and breast-milk, practical breast-feeding methods, and nutritional management during pregnancy. Also nutrition education for mothers will be continued to 1-3 postpartum months to promote successful breast-feeding.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.191-204
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• 2006

This study was carried out to investigate the experiences of breast milk feeding information and education, breast milk feeding knowledge and attitude and needs for breast milk feeding nutrition education of high school students to encourage breast milk feeding. The subjects were 565 (male: 250, female: 315) high school students from first to third grade. The results obtained were as follows: In this survey, only 30.0% of subjects experienced breast milk feeding information and only 6.1% of subjects had breast milk feeding education. And the subjects showed the average scores of knowledge of breast milk feeding were 0.29 points of 1 point. Subjects knew well about ingredients of breast milk but they didn't know well about the physiology and method of breast milk feeding and benefits of breast milk feeding for mothers. The average scores of attitude of breast milk feeding were 3.03 points of 4 points, showed slight positive attitudes of breast milk feeding, but they had negative attitudes of emotional and practical aspects. The future plan of feeding practices was breast milk feeding 35.9% and 60.0% of formula milk feeding. A concern was that the students showed high ratio of formula milk feeding plan and they decided by incorrect knowledge of breast milk feeding. The 33.5% of students answered high school students will need breast milk feeding nutrition education, and they thought hospital faculties were the proper educators of breast milk feeding education, but dietitians were recomended as educators because of easy access at school and good knowledge of life-cycle nutrition. Therefore, to encourage breast milk feeding by mothers and supporters of breast milk feeding, breast milk feeding nutrition education is needed urgently among high school male and female students. And nutrition education programs will have to contain benefits of breast milk for babies and mothers and physiology and practical methods of breast milk feeding to improve emotional and practical attitudes for breast milk feeding. Nationwide campaign to promote breast milk feeding at public areas will be needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.468-473
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• 2008

Purpose : Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is still one of the most common nutrient deficiency disorders, despite improvements in general health and nutrition. This study was designed to investigate the diagnostic values of hematological profiles, including the level of ferritin, and to evaluate the knowledge of mothers on weaning practices for infants and young children with IDA. Methods : This study was conducted on 111 infants and young children from six to 40 months of age with IDA. Their parents completed a questionnaire. IDA was defined as a level of hemoglobin <11.0 g/dL, the presence of microcytosis, a level of ferritin <10.0 ng/dL, transferrin saturation <15%, or an 1 g/dL increase in the level of hemoglobin after iron administration. The questionnaire made inquiries into their weaning practices. Results : In 111 infants and young children aged from six to 40 months, the average level of Hb was $9.5{\pm}1.0g/dL$. The prevalence of ferritin level (>10 ng/dL) was 48.6%, in spite of IDA. Seventy-four infants (66.7%) began to wean between four and six months, and 37 infants (33.3%) after seven months of age. The main food given after weaning was rice gruel. The weaning periods showed a significant relationship to the severity of anemia (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the severity of anemia in terms of the educational levels of the mothers. Fifty-five mothers (49.5%) gave a wrong answer to a questionnaire describing that breast-fed infants aged over four months need to be fed with iron-sufficient food. Of all mothers, 49.6% took one month or more to complete the weaning process and 20% took three months or more. Conclusion : Many infants and young children with IDA have been provided with non-iron fortified foods and inadequate weaning. To improve nutritional status, especially among infants with iron deficiencies, nutritional education for mothers with infants at the weaning age must be increased and related programs must be implemented effectively.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.95-100
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• 1999

Objectives. This study surveyed medical students attending clerkship to assess their attitude toward and knowledge about breastfeeding, and self-confidence to manage common breastfeeding problems. Methods. A self-report questionnaire was administered to the 323 medical students at four medical colleges in Taegu in May 1997. The response rate was 92.9%, but the respondents used in the final data analysis were 245 (75.8%) due to missing variables. Results. Overall, respondents showed equivocal attitudes toward breastfeeding (mean score 2.9 on a 6-point scale). Knowledge about breastfeeding was substantially low with the median % correct 39.2%. Of nine knowledge areas, weak areas were especially 'contraindications and barriers to breastfeeding', 'use of breastfeeding aids', 'expression and storage of breast milk'. Those reported to be confident to manage common breastfeeding problems were only 25.7%. Correlations between knowledge and self-confidence were not statistically significant except in college A (r=0.35, p<0.05). Correlations between knowledge and attitude were not significant. Conclusions. These results suggest that medical students attending clerkship in Taegu show equivocal attitudes toward breastfeeding, low self-confidence to manage common breastfeeding problems and have substantially limited level of knowledge. There should be more concerted efforts to improve this situation on the part of those involved in breastfeeding education.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.268-272
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• 2008

The breast feeding habits of 507 college students were evaluated between March 27 to April 26 (2006). Data were collected from self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS for Windows V.12.0. The study population consisted of 245 (48.3%) male and 262 (51.7%) female college students that answered ‘yes’ when asked whether they had been breast feed. A total of 52.7% of the study population were fed with breast milk (most frequent answer), as opposed to 11.0% that were fed with infant formula (least frequent answer) during their infancy. When asked whether they ever got educated on breast feeding, 78.1% of the college student subjects answered ‘no’. A total of 95.1% of the female college students replied ‘yes’ when asked if they intended to breast feed their child. Moreover, 62.2% of the college student subjects indicated that their parents had an influence on their decision to breast feed. A comparison between male and female college students indicated that female college students had a superior knowledge level of the general characteristics of breast feeding over the male subjects (p<0.05) . Moreover, a comparison of the different levels of college attained suggest that freshman college students had the highest knowledge level, followed by senior, sophomore and junior college students in terms of advantage, BF Tabu (p<0.05). Also, students provided with education on breast feeding had a higher knowledge level than college students with no formal education. In summary, the results suggest that the knowledge on breast feeding in college students were different by general characteristics such as gender, major and school year, and education on breast feeding in advance was appeared to be an important factor, therefore nutritional education course on breast feeding is recommended for the college students.