Evaluation of nursing and midwifery students knowledge level on breast milk and breastfeeding

Objective: The aim of this research is to evaluate the knowledge level of nursing and midwifery students about breast milk and breastfeeding. Materials and Methods: This study is a descriptive research. Research sample consists of 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade nursing and midwifery students studying in the Nursing and Midwifery Department at a Foundation University in Istanbul who were willing to participate in the research and had vocational and technical training classes. The research data were collected through 'Midwifery / Nursing Student Information Form' and 'Evaluation of Information Status Regarding Breastfeeding and Breastfeeding Form' and analyzed using SPSS 21 package program. Results: The average age of the sample is 21.55 2.205 and 15.8% are studying in midwifery and 84.2% are studying in nursing department. The knowledge assessment form of the students regarding breastfeeding and breastfeeding was found out over 69 points, with an average of 30.70 7.057. It was determined that the students answered the most correctly (93.8%) to the question about the duration of feeding with only breast milk without additional food, and the most incorrectly (93.8%) to the question about which days the colostrum was secreted after birth. A statistically significant correlation was found between the ages of the students and the knowledge level on breast milk and breastfeeding assessment form scores (p<0.01). Knowledge Level On Breast Milk and Breastfeeding Assessment Form scores were found to be statistically significant according to sex, department and current semester of the students (p<0.05). Knowledge Level On Breast Milk and Breastfeeding Assessment Form scores were not found to be statistically significant according to marital status, high school graduated and participation in any breast milk and breastfeeding course or training of the students (p> 0.05). Conclusion: The research shows that the level of knowledge about breast milk and breastfeeding should be supported by theoretical and practical training and there is a need to provide information in accordance with current standards. Key Words: Midwifery, nursing, breastfeeding, knowledge level, student.