Exploring the breastfeeding knowledge level and its influencing factors of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Studies reveal that promoting the breastfeeding knowledge level help to improve breastfeeding behaviors. Promoting breastfeeding knowledge is a simple and economical way to increase breastfeeding rates. However, there are no studies focus on the level of breastfeeding knowledge and factors influencing the knowledge in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is defined as any degree of glucose tolerance impairment first diagnosed during pregnancy. Thus, the objectives of this study were to investigate the breastfeeding knowledge level of GDM pregnant women and explore factors influencing the knowledge level.

Cross-sectional survey and convenience sampling were conducted in this study. The sociodemographic characteristics, caregivers in pregnancy, knowledge source, breastfeeding status and breast status information of participants were collected. Breastfeeding Knowledge Scale was used to assess the breastfeeding knowledge level of pregnant women with GDM. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influence factors of breastfeeding knowledge level in this study.

A total of 226 questionnaires were issued and finally 212 valid questionnaires were collected. Some misconceptions still existed (e.g. ‘breastfeeding cannot prevent your baby from being overweight’ and ‘it is advisable to breastfeed 3-4 times per day within 2-3 days after delivery’), although women with GDM had a good score of breastfeeding knowledge (mean score: 103.5 ± 10.4). Multiple linear regression analysis found that gestational age, family per capita monthly income, educational level, knowledge source were the independent protective factors for breastfeeding knowledge and minority nationality was the independent risk factor. The educational level had the greatest influence on the breastfeeding knowledge level of GDM pregnant women (β = 0.210, t = 2.978, P = 0.003).

GDM pregnant women with insufficient gestational age, low educational level, low family per capita monthly income and single access to knowledge should be included in the focus of health education on breastfeeding. In-depth and systematic health education should be conducted for pregnant women with GDM to improve their breastfeeding rate.