Psychosocial determinants of the intention of nurses and dietitians to recommend breastfeeding.

OBJECTIVES To identify the major psychosocial determinants of the intention of nurses and dietitians to recommend breastfeeding to new mothers for six months as well as the salient beliefs underlying this intention. METHOD Following an open-ended questionnaire that sought to elicit their most significant beliefs, a standardized questionnaire based on a modified model of Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour, was sent to New Brunswick nurses and dietitians who graduated between January 1992 and December 1996. Multiple regression analysis determined which variables contributed the most to the prediction of intention. RESULTS The main determinants of intention were perceived behavioural control and perceived professional norm. They explained 69% of the variance in intention. All salient beliefs underlying the perceived behavioural control were significantly associated with intention. CONCLUSION To help nurses and dietitians to support and promote breastfeeding more effectively, programs should focus on changing perceived and true barriers to recommending breastfeeding, as well as the related perceived professional norm.