Table 2 Characteristics and experiences of Croatian and Slovenian participants (N = 92)a
From: The IBLCE exam: candidate experience, motivation, study strategies used and predictors of success
Variable | Croatia | Slovenia | χ2 | p |
|---|---|---|---|---|
n (%) | ||||
N | 36 (39.6) | 55 (60.45) | 3.97 | 0.05 |
Did you pass the exam? | n = 33 | n = 45 | ||
Yes | 19 (57.6) | 32 (71.1) | 1.00 | 0.32 |
No | 14 (42.4) | 13 (28.9) | ||
Demographic characteristics | ||||
Profession | ||||
Community nurse | 16 (41.0) | 14 (24.1) | 3.51 | 0.06 |
Midwife | 12 (30.8) | 15 (25.9) | 0.38 | 0.54 |
Neonatology nurse | 4 (10.3) | 18 (31.0) | 5.49 | 0.02* |
Doctor | 2 (5.1) | 1 (1.7) | 0.94 | 0.10 |
Other | 5 (12.8) | 10 (17.2) | 0.02 | 0.89 |
Highest qualification | ||||
University degree | 9 (25.0) | 14 (25.5) | 7.73 | 0.02* |
College degree | 27 (75.0) | 31 (56.4) | ||
High school degree | 0 (0.0) | 10 (18.2) | ||
Place of work | ||||
Community health centre | 15 (41.7) | 19 (34.5) | ||
Maternity hospital | 10 (27.8) | 21 (38.2) | 6.98 | 0.22 |
Neonatology ward | 5 (11.1) | 1 (1.9) | ||
Private practice | 2 (5.6) | 0 (0.0) | ||
Paediatric ward | 1 (2.8) | 2 (3.6) | ||
Other | 4 (11.1) | 11 (20.0) | ||
Time spent working with breastfeeding mothers (years) | ||||
> 20 | 16 (44.4) | 19 (34.5) | 6.82 | 0.08 |
11–20 | 14 (38.9) | 15 (27.3) | ||
5–10 | 6 (16.7) | 14 (25.5) | ||
< 5 | 0 (0.0) | 7 (12.7) | ||
Duration last child breastfed (months) | 7.58 | 0.11 | ||
> 12 | 20 (57.1) | 25 (47.2) | ||
> 6–12 | 6 (17.1) | 17 (32.1) | ||
3–6 | 3 (8.6) | 9 (17.0) | ||
< 3 | 2 (5.7) | 1 (1.9) | ||
Did not breastfeed | 4 (11.4) | 1 (1.9) | ||
Breastfeeding education | ||||
Was breastfeeding part of your formal education? | ||||
Yes | 15 (41.7) | 33 (60.0) | 2.90 | 0.09 |
No | 21 (58.3) | 22 (40.0) | ||
If yes, no. of hours | ||||
< 10 | 5 (13.9) | 24 (43.6) | 9.55 | < 0.01* |
10–20 | 2 (5.6) | 4 (7.3) | ||
> 20 | 8 (22.2) | 4 (7.3) | ||
If yes, did it include bed-side learning? | ||||
Yes | 11 (73.3) | 7 (21.9) | 11.20 | 0.01* |
No | 4 (26.7) | 25 (78.1) | ||
If yes, how many hours? | ||||
< 5 | 5 (45.5) | 0 (0.0) | 0.08 | |
5–10 | 0 (0.0) | 1 (16.7) | 5.58 | |
> 10 | 6 (54.5) | 5 (83.3) | ||
Which forms of informal breastfeeding education have you attended? | ||||
90 h IBLCE exam preparatory course | 32 (88.9) | 46 (83.6) | 0.49 | 0.49 |
Breastfeeding conferences/symposiums | 26 (72.2) | 26 (47.3) | 5.47 | 0.02* |
UNICEF/WHO 20-h course for maternity staff | 18 (50.0) | 25 (45.5) | 0.18 | 0.67 |
Breastfeeding webinars | 18 (50.0) | 7 (12.7) | 15.00 | < 0.01* |
20-h course for primary health care teams | 9 (25.0) | 16 (29.1) | 0.18 | 0.67 |
Exam preparation | ||||
Motivation for sitting exam | ||||
To improve my knowledge in breastfeeding | 32 (88.9) | 40 (72.7) | 3.40 | 0.07 |
To obtain the prestigious IBCLC certificate | 11 (30.6) | 6 (10.9) | 5.47 | 0.02* |
So I can work as an IBCLC | 10 (27.8) | 14 (25.5) | 0.06 | 0.81 |
To test my knowledge in breastfeeding | 9 (25.0) | 15 (27.3) | 0.06 | 0.82 |
I was obliged to by my employer | 7 (19.4) | 6 (10.9) | 1.28 | 0.26 |
To prove that I can do it | 3 (8.3) | 9 (16.4) | 1.21 | 0.27 |
Study strategies used | ||||
Reread handouts | 31 (86.1) | 40 (72.7) | 2.25 | 0.13 |
Tested myself with practice questions | 30 (83.3) | 26 (47.3) | 11.23 | < 0.01* |
Underlined or highlighted while reading | 29 (80.6) | 33 (60.0) | 4.19 | 0.04* |
Made outlines | 14 (38.9) | 28 (50.9) | 1.25 | 0.26 |
Studied with others | 11 (30.6) | 11 (20.0) | 1.31 | 0.25 |
Re-copied my notes | 4 (11.1) | 8 (14.5) | 0.22 | 0.64 |
Crammed the night before the test | 4 (11.1) | 4 (7.3) | 0.40 | 0.53 |
Actively participated during breastfeeding course | 3 (8.3) | 15 (27.3) | 4.87 | 0.03* |
Other | 3 (8.3) | 1 (1.8) | 0.92 | 0.34 |
Materials used | ||||
Course handouts | 33 (91.7) | 46 (83.6) | 1.21 | 0.27 |
Translated questions from Comprehensive Lactation Consultant Exam Review | 24 (66.7) | 26 (47.3) | 3.27 | 0.07 |
Breastfeeding atlas | 19 (52.8) | 32 (58.2) | 0.26 | 0.61 |
Other | 4 (11.1) | 3 (5.4) | 0.34 | 0.55 |
There was enough literature in my mother tongue | 9 (25.0) | 31 (56.4) | 12.22 | < 0.01* |
I used study materials in English. | 15 (41.7) | 21 (38.2) | 0.01 | 0.94 |
Study pattern used | ||||
Study sessions spaced out over weeks/months | 24 (66.7) | 28 (50.9) | 0.70 | 0.40 |
Most study done in the days before the exam | 9 (25.0) | 16 (29.1) | ||
Did you spend time observing mother-support groups or otherwise find time to listen to normal, healthy mothers? | ||||
Yes | 9 (25.0) | 26 (47.3) | 6.58 | < 0.01* |
No | 27 (72.0) | 29 (52.3) | ||
Exam experience | ||||
Clarity of instructions provided by IBLCE regarding exam application process | n = 33 | n = 45 | ||
Completely clear | 16 (48.5) | 31 (68.9) | 4.45 | 0.11 |
Partially clear | 16 (48.5) | 14 (31.1) | ||
Unclear | 1 (3.0) | 0 (0.0) | ||
Clarity of instructions provided by IBLCE regarding exam procedure | n = 32 | n = 46 | ||
Completely clear | 19 (59.3) | 40 (86.9) | 8.73 | < 0.01* |
Partially clear | 11 (34.3) | 6 (13.1) | ||
Unclear | 2 (6.4) | 0 (0.0) | ||
Clarity of instructions provided by proctors during exam | n = 32 | n = 46 | ||
Completely clear | 24 (75.0) | 44 (95.6) | 7.38 | 0.03* |
Partially clear | 7 (21.9) | 2 (4.4) | ||
Unclear | 1 (3.1) | 0 (0.0) | ||
Clarity of photographs used during the exam | n = 33 | n = 46 | ||
Completely clear | 5 (15.2) | 11 (23.9) | ||
Partially clear | 19 (57.6) | 30 (65.2) | 3.83 | 0.15 |
Unclear | 9 (27.2) | 5 (10.9) | ||
Was there sufficient time to solve all exam questions? | n = 36 | n = 55 | ||
Yes | 27 (75.0) | 43 (78.2) | 2.56 | 0.11 |
No | 9 (25.0) | 12 (21.8) | ||