Breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes and practices among postpartum women in a hospital in Barranquilla, Colombia, before and after an educational intervention, 2022-2024

Background

The World Health Organization recommends starting breastfeeding within the first hour of life, breastfeeding exclusively for six months, and continuing alongside complementary feeding up to two years or beyond. In Colombia, abandonment of exclusive breastfeeding is common and varies across regions. This study assessed breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes and practices among postpartum women at a hospital in Barranquilla, Colombia, between 2022 and 2024, before and after an educational intervention.Methods: Quantitative single-group study with measurements before and after an educational intervention and no comparison group. A total of 143 postpartum women took part (101 urban and 42 rural). A structured questionnaire adapted from Canales Acuña and Cáceres assessed sociodemographic variables, knowledge, attitudes and practices. The intervention consisted of a one-week awareness campaign and three workshops over one month. Baseline and final measurements were compared, and associations with age, place of residence and marital status were explored with the chi-square test (α = 0.05).Results: After the intervention, statistically significant changes were observed in several knowledge and attitude items, including recognition of breastfeeding as protective against breast cancer and a decline in the belief that breast milk and infant formula offer equivalent benefits. Age was associated with knowing that breastfeeding should start within the first half hour after birth (p < 0.05): 95.45% of mothers aged 15 to 19 considered this practice corrects.