Abstract
Objective
To use different teaching tools and study their effectiveness by assessing changes in
knowledge, attitude and management skills of fourth year medical students about breast
feeding.
Methods
A six hour course, spread over three days was designed using Guidelines from
Breastfeeding Counseling; A Training Course, WHO/CDR 93.3 and UNICEF/NUT 93.1..
Lectures and large group interactive sessions, small group discussions and role playing
were used to teach different components of the course. Participants were evaluated by pre
and post test of the same set of multiple choice questions. Six questions dealt with
contents taught in the form of lectures, four covered small group contents and another
four questions evaluated the contents taught in role playing.
Results
Out of a total of 80 students, 68 completed the course. Mean score before the course was
7.86±2.37 which increased to 11.37±1.26 after the course. Percentage change in Pre and
post test scores for lectures, small group sessions and role playing were 18.34%, 25.5%
and 35.75% respectively.
2
Conclusion
All teaching strategies were found to be effective in increasing knowledge, changing
attitude and providing management skills necessary for promoting breast feeding.
Maximum gain was seen with the role playing. (Rawal Med J 2009;34: ).

Key words: Breast Feeding, medical education, small groups.