Reliability and validity of a breastfeeding knowledge survey in allied health students

Increasing breastfeeding prevalence has been identified as a public health priority in the United States. One strategy is to increase the skills of allied health professionals, yet tools to measure the knowledge and skills of students training for these professions is limited. This study evaluated the reliability and validity of a breastfeeding knowledge survey for allied health students, and determined the impact of an educational presentation on breastfeeding knowledge for selected College of Health, University of Utah students. The survey instrument was expertly reviewed by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (n=5) and pilot tested in a student population (n=21). Three groups tested the survey: test-retest (n=28), intervention (n=38) and control (n=32). The test-retest group took the survey at baseline and 3 weeks. Intervention and control subjects completed the survey at baseline and 4 weeks. Additionally, the intervention group took a breastfeeding education class (week 3).