Knowledge and Attitude of Nurses Working in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on the Use of Human Donor Milk

Introduction: Donor milk is a new emerging phenomenon in Iran and its banks are currently operating at a limited level. Nurses’ knowledge and attitudes toward this issue play a very important role in the adoption of human donor milk by families. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitude of nurses working in neonatal intensive care units   regarding the use of human donor milk and its advantages and disadvantages. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. One hundred nurses working in the NICUs of three hospitals affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences were recruited by census. Data were collected by "nurses’ questionnaire towards donor milk and the pros and cons” and, "attitude of nurses towards donor milk” and analyzed by independent t- test and analysis of variance using SPSS software version 22.    Results: Most nurses had appropriate knowledge about donor milk. About 68% of them believed that human donor milk reduces the growth rate of the baby, but 33% rated the availability of formula milk easier and stated that it is less stressful than donor milk. Nurses did not have a positive attitude toward donor milk in most of the questions. Approximately 48% were opposed about receiving human donor milk. Forty-five percent of the nurses blamed its costs and investment as the most important barriers to not consuming donor milk in their cities. Sixty-eight percent supported the establishment of a human milk bank in the area or city where they work and reside. The results also showed the knowledge (P=0.031), and attitude (P<0/00) of the nurses were significantly associated with their marital status.   Conclusion: The nurses had appropriate knowledge about human donor milk; however, in most cases, they did not have a favorable attitude toward that. It seems that cultural and religious issues might have played a role in this respect.