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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Knowledge of European healthcare providers about the diagnosis and treatment of mastitis and candidiasis in breastfeeding
1
Midwifery Practice InTeam, Hoeilaart, Belgium
2
Care4Education, Boortmeerbeek, Belgium
3
Flemish Organisation of Midwives, Antwerpen, Belgium
4
Department of Health - Midwifery Education, University College Brussels, Jette, Belgium
5
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences FARM - Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Brussels, Jette, Belgium
Publication date: 2025-10-24
Eur J Midwifery 2025;9(Supplement 1):A40
ABSTRACT
Background:
Mastitis and candidiasis are common breastfeeding (BF) complications and contribute to pain and discomfort, possibly leading to early cessation of breastfeeding. Knowledge of healthcare providers (HCPs) in both the diagnosis and treatment of mastitis and candidiasis in breastfeeding is therefore of importance. To date, there is little evidence on HCPs knowledge of these breastfeeding-related problems.
Objectives:
This research project aims to map HCPs knowledge of diagnosis and treatment methods for mastitis and candidiasis, as well as provide a European perspective of the ABM protocol #36. Additionally, differences between European countries, such as the availability of medication on the market were assessed.
Methods:
This observational cross-sectional study was performed using an online questionnaire and took place from May 2024 until November 2024. Tracing and contacting of HCPs was done via e-mailing national and international organizations, social media, smaller groups of HCPs and at several international conferences. The questionnaire, available in Dutch and English, was divided into 5 parts: “demographical data”, “diagnosis of candidiasis”, “treatment of candidiasis”, “diagnosis of mastitis” and “treatment of mastitis”. All data was collected through Qualtrics. Data was analyzed by Microsoft Excel. Ethics approval was obtained through the Committee for Medical Ethics (CME) of UZ Brussels (number 2021 386).
Results:
A total of 309 questionnaires were filled in by HCP from 18 European countries. 75% of participants stated to have doubts about the diagnosis of candidiasis. All types of HCPs, including midwives, stated being familiar with the ABM protocol #36. Regarding diagnosis and treatment of candidiasis and mastitis, general practitioners and pediatricians showed the greatest deviation from ABM#36 in their daily practices. Additionally, participants from France and Germany reported the highest number discrepancies between their practices and the guidelines.
Conclusions:
All participating HCPs, including midwives, stated to have doubts about diagnosing and treating mastitis and candidiasis.
Mastitis and candidiasis are common breastfeeding (BF) complications and contribute to pain and discomfort, possibly leading to early cessation of breastfeeding. Knowledge of healthcare providers (HCPs) in both the diagnosis and treatment of mastitis and candidiasis in breastfeeding is therefore of importance. To date, there is little evidence on HCPs knowledge of these breastfeeding-related problems.
Objectives:
This research project aims to map HCPs knowledge of diagnosis and treatment methods for mastitis and candidiasis, as well as provide a European perspective of the ABM protocol #36. Additionally, differences between European countries, such as the availability of medication on the market were assessed.
Methods:
This observational cross-sectional study was performed using an online questionnaire and took place from May 2024 until November 2024. Tracing and contacting of HCPs was done via e-mailing national and international organizations, social media, smaller groups of HCPs and at several international conferences. The questionnaire, available in Dutch and English, was divided into 5 parts: “demographical data”, “diagnosis of candidiasis”, “treatment of candidiasis”, “diagnosis of mastitis” and “treatment of mastitis”. All data was collected through Qualtrics. Data was analyzed by Microsoft Excel. Ethics approval was obtained through the Committee for Medical Ethics (CME) of UZ Brussels (number 2021 386).
Results:
A total of 309 questionnaires were filled in by HCP from 18 European countries. 75% of participants stated to have doubts about the diagnosis of candidiasis. All types of HCPs, including midwives, stated being familiar with the ABM protocol #36. Regarding diagnosis and treatment of candidiasis and mastitis, general practitioners and pediatricians showed the greatest deviation from ABM#36 in their daily practices. Additionally, participants from France and Germany reported the highest number discrepancies between their practices and the guidelines.
Conclusions:
All participating HCPs, including midwives, stated to have doubts about diagnosing and treating mastitis and candidiasis.
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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