{"title":"Factors associated with breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes among non-pregnant, nulliparous women of reproductive age: A scoping review","authors":"Maryam Malekian, Michelle Irving, Vanora Hundley","doi":"10.1016/j.midw.2025.104511","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Problem and background</h3><div>Although breastfeeding has well-established benefits for both mothers and infants, global rates remain suboptimal. Knowledge and attitudes are key factors associated with breastfeeding outcomes and identifying the factors that shape these before pregnancy can guide initiatives to improve breastfeeding rates.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This scoping review aimed to map factors associated with breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes in non-pregnant, nulliparous women of reproductive age.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>In line with PRISMA-ScR and the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, the Population, Concept, and Context framework was applied to identify factors affecting breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes. A comprehensive search across SCOPUS, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Embase was conducted. Data were extracted using a standardised form, and methodological quality was assessed. A narrative synthesis was performed to summarise the findings.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>The review included 37 studies from 22 countries, primarily focusing on university students. Breastfeeding knowledge varied, with some studies reporting moderate to high levels, while others reported lower levels. Most participants had positive attitudes, though a few were neutral or negative. Key associated factors included education, exposure to breastfeeding, age, cultural norms, and socioeconomic status. Higher education and exposure to breastfeeding information were associated with better knowledge and attitudes, while the relationship with socioeconomic status showed mixed results.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This review highlights the multifactorial nature of breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes. Interventions before pregnancy are crucial to improving breastfeeding outcomes. Further research is needed, particularly in regions with low breastfeeding rates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18495,"journal":{"name":"Midwifery","volume":"148 ","pages":"Article 104511"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Midwifery","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0266613825002293","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"NURSING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Problem and background
Although breastfeeding has well-established benefits for both mothers and infants, global rates remain suboptimal. Knowledge and attitudes are key factors associated with breastfeeding outcomes and identifying the factors that shape these before pregnancy can guide initiatives to improve breastfeeding rates.
Aim
This scoping review aimed to map factors associated with breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes in non-pregnant, nulliparous women of reproductive age.
Method
In line with PRISMA-ScR and the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, the Population, Concept, and Context framework was applied to identify factors affecting breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes. A comprehensive search across SCOPUS, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Embase was conducted. Data were extracted using a standardised form, and methodological quality was assessed. A narrative synthesis was performed to summarise the findings.
Findings
The review included 37 studies from 22 countries, primarily focusing on university students. Breastfeeding knowledge varied, with some studies reporting moderate to high levels, while others reported lower levels. Most participants had positive attitudes, though a few were neutral or negative. Key associated factors included education, exposure to breastfeeding, age, cultural norms, and socioeconomic status. Higher education and exposure to breastfeeding information were associated with better knowledge and attitudes, while the relationship with socioeconomic status showed mixed results.
Conclusion
This review highlights the multifactorial nature of breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes. Interventions before pregnancy are crucial to improving breastfeeding outcomes. Further research is needed, particularly in regions with low breastfeeding rates.
问题和背景虽然母乳喂养对母亲和婴儿都有公认的好处,但全球母乳喂养率仍不理想。知识和态度是与母乳喂养结果相关的关键因素,在怀孕前确定影响这些因素的因素可以指导提高母乳喂养率的举措。目的本综述旨在了解育龄期未怀孕、未生育妇女母乳喂养知识和态度的相关因素。方法根据PRISMA-ScR和Joanna Briggs研究所的方法,采用人口、概念和背景框架来确定影响母乳喂养知识和态度的因素。通过SCOPUS、MEDLINE、Web of Science、Cochrane Library、CINAHL和Embase进行了全面的检索。使用标准化表格提取数据,并评估方法学质量。进行了叙述综合以总结调查结果。该综述包括来自22个国家的37项研究,主要集中在大学生身上。母乳喂养知识各不相同,一些研究报告的水平从中等到较高,而另一些研究报告的水平较低。大多数参与者都持积极态度,但也有少数人持中立或消极态度。关键的相关因素包括教育、母乳喂养、年龄、文化规范和社会经济地位。高等教育和接触母乳喂养信息与更好的知识和态度有关,而与社会经济地位的关系则显示出不同的结果。结论本综述强调了母乳喂养知识和态度的多因素性。孕前干预对改善母乳喂养结果至关重要。需要进一步的研究,特别是在母乳喂养率低的地区。