Workplace breastfeeding support and breastfeeding practices among healthcare professionals

Workplace breastfeeding support and breastfeeding practices among healthcare professionals

Blog Article

Introduction: Working mothers face striking challenges in breastfeeding.It is important to focus on them to further improve breastfeeding rates.Aim and Objectives: To assess the workplace breastfeeding support and breastfeeding practices of healthcare professionals.Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study among two Integrated Washer Dryer hospitals in East Delhi.All mothers having at least one child aged six months to five years and currently employed as healthcare personnel were included.

For a sample size of 100, population proportionate to size sampling was done among two hospitals.The participants were randomly selected from a list of healthcare personnel.Employee perception of breastfeeding support questionnaire (EPBS-Q) was used to assess the workplace breastfeeding support.Chi-square test was used to compare proportions, logistic regression, and survival analysis to find the association between workplace breastfeeding support and IYCF parameters.Results: The proportion of mother who perceived poor workplace breastfeeding support was 37%.

The mean (SD) score obtained was 103.48 (8.93).The early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour was practiced by 54%, exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months by 60%, and timely initiation of complementary feeding for six to eight months by 64% mothers.Workplace breastfeeding support Waterwear Salopettes was significantly associated with exclusively breastfeeding for at least six months.

Conclusions: More than one-third of mothers perceived poor workplace breastfeeding, and it was associated with exclusive breastfeeding.