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Journal of Human Lactation
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*Breast Feeding
*Health Literacy
*Infant and Toddler Nutrition
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Health Professional Knowledge of Breastfeeding: Are the Health Risks of Infant Formula Feeding Accurately Conveyed by the Titles and Abstracts of Journal Articles?

Julie Smith, BEc Hons, BA, PhD

Australian Centre for Economic Research on Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, Building 62, cnr Mills and Eggleston Roads, The Australian National University ACT 0200, Australia

Mark Dunstone, BSc, Grad Dip Ed

Australian Centre for Economic Research on Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, Building 62, cnr Mills and Eggleston Roads, The Australian National University ACT 0200, Australia

Megan Elliott-Rudder, MBBS, DRANZCOG, FRACGP

Australian Centre for Economic Research on Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, Building 62, cnr Mills and Eggleston Roads, The Australian National University ACT 0200, Australia

Effective promotion of breastfeeding is constrained if health professionals' knowledge on its importance is deficient. This study asks whether formula feeding is named as the risk factor in published research or whether it is considered the unspoken norm. A systematic analysis is conducted of the information content of titles and abstracts of 78 studies that report poorer health among formula-fed infants. This shows a surprising silence in the studies examined; formula is rarely named in publication titles or abstracts as an exposure increasing health risk. In 30% of cases, titles imply misleadingly that breastfeeding raises health risk. Only 11% of abstracts identify formula feeding as a health risk exposure. Initiatives to increase breastfeeding have described the importance of accurate language and well-informed health professional support. If widespread, this skew in communication of research findings may reduce health professionals' knowledge and support for breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 25(3):350-358.

Key Words: breastfeeding • health education • health knowledge • attitudes • practice • health personnel • health promotion • delivery of health care • health services • clinician support • communication

This version was published on August 1, 2009

Journal of Human Lactation, Vol. 25, No. 3, 350-358 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0890334409331506
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