BACKGROUND Breastfeeding continuation rates are low in Ireland. The Breastfeeding Observation and Assessment Tool (BOAT) was developed to assist public health nurses in assessing breastfeeding challenges; however, little is known of its actual usage, the level of training experienced or desired by public health nurses, or their level of confidence in the support they provide to breastfeeding mothers. RESEARCH AIM To identify the current practices and support needs of public health nurses who provide breastfeeding support in Ireland. METHOD An online questionnaire was devised to collect respondents' confidence with breastfeeding issues, caseload, and practices. It was distributed to public health nurses with a current child health caseload in one Community Healthcare Organization. Mann Whitney U tests were used to ascertain the relationship between public health nurses' confidence level and those with qualifications in midwifery or as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). RESULTS The survey was completed by 66 public health nurses. Only 14 respondents (21.2%) indicated that they always used the BOAT. The most common reason for not doing so was a lack of education on its use (n = 17, 25.8%). Postholders also certified as IBCLCs were considered by participants to be the most appropriate professionals to resolve certain breastfeeding issues. Confidence levels to manage breastfeeding issues were highest among public health nurses with IBCLC credentialing (U = 12.5, p = .001) while no difference was seen when comparing those with a midwifery degree to those without (U = 184.0, p = .92). Face-to-face workshops and blended-learning approaches were ranked as the preferred formats for breastfeeding education (Median rank = 2). CONCLUSIONS Breastfeeding education incorporating a face-to-face component is needed to support public health nurses who work with breastfeeding mothers, as is prioritization of recruitment in the community of public health nurses with IBCLC credentials.

中文翻译：

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爱尔兰共和国为母乳喂养母亲提供支持的公共卫生护士的支持需求和当前实践：横断面调查。

背景 爱尔兰的母乳喂养持续率较低。母乳喂养观察和评估工具（BOAT）的开发是为了协助公共卫生护士评估母乳喂养的挑战；然而，人们对其实际用途、公共卫生护士所经历或期望的培训水平，或者他们对为母乳喂养母亲提供的支持的信心程度知之甚少。研究目的 确定爱尔兰提供母乳喂养支持的公共卫生护士的当前做法和支持需求。方法 设计了一份在线调查问卷，以收集受访者对母乳喂养问题、病例数和实践的信心。它被分发给一个社区医疗组织中当前有儿童健康病例的公共卫生护士。曼惠特尼 U 测试用于确定公共卫生护士的信心水平与助产士或国际委员会认证哺乳顾问 (IBCLC) 资格之间的关系。结果 本次调查由 66 名公共卫生护士完成。只有 14 名受访者（21.2%）表示他们一直使用 BOAT。不这样做的最常见原因是缺乏使用教育（n = 17, 25.8%）。参与者还认为，获得 IBCLC 认证的职位持有人是解决某些母乳喂养问题的最合适的专业人员。拥有 IBCLC 认证的公共卫生护士对处理母乳喂养问题的信心最高 (U = 12.5, p = .001)，而将具有助产士学位的护士与没有助产士学位的护士进行比较时，没有发现差异 (U = 184.0, p = .92) 。面对面研讨会和混合学习方法被列为母乳喂养教育的首选形式（中位排名 = 2）。结论 需要纳入面对面内容的母乳喂养教育，以支持与母乳喂养母亲一起工作的公共卫生护士，并优先在社区招聘具有 IBCLC 证书的公共卫生护士。