Factors Affecting in Termination of Breastfeeding, among Nurses and Doctors as Working Mothers
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Breastfeeding is a fundamental aspect of maternal and infant health, offering numerous benefits to both mothers and newborns. However, its premature termination among working mothers, especially in the healthcare profession, is a growing concern.
Objective: To detect the factors that affect the early termination of breastfeeding among doctors and nurses as working mothers.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Sharif Medical City Lahore over a period of four months from January 2024 to April 2024. The sample size of 80 participants was calculated using Slovin's Formula, and a convenient sampling technique was used to collect data from nurses and doctors. The participants included working mothers who had terminated breastfeeding and were willing to participate in the study. Data were collected using an adopted tool for exclusive breastfeeding, consisting of 10 items, with a Content Validity Index of 0.92 and a Cronbach's alpha of 0.78. The data were analyzed using SPSS Version 25.
Results: The majority of participants (50%) were aged between 26-35 years, 61.25% were government employees, 77.5% worked full-time, and 70% had only one child. About 37.5% worked in shifts, 75% worked 6-7 days per week, and 56.2% worked less than 9 hours per week. Major factors contributing to the cessation of breastfeeding included perceived low milk quantity (doctors: 31.3%, nurses: 41.8%), inconvenience/fatigue due to breastfeeding (doctors: 35.0%, nurses: 51.2%), and return to work (both doctors and nurses: 50.0%).
Conclusion: The study concluded that perceived low milk quantity, inconvenience and fatigue due to breastfeeding, and the necessity to return to work were the major factors contributing to the cessation of breastfeeding among doctors and nurses. Addressing these issues through workplace interventions and supportive policies is crucial to promoting sustained breastfeeding among healthcare professionals.
Article Details
![Creative Commons License](http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Chen J, Xin T, Gaoshan J, Li Q, Zou K, Tan S, et al. The Association Between Work Related Factors and Breastfeeding Practices Among Chinese Working Mothers: A Mixed-Method Approach. Int Breastfeed J. 2019;14(1):1-13.
Ersen G, Kasim I, Agadayi E, Demir Alsancak A, Sengezer T, Ozkara A. Factors Affecting the Behavior and Duration of Breastfeeding Among Physician Mothers. J Hum Lact. 2020;36(3):471-7.
Kebede T, Woldemichael K, Jarso H, Bekele BB. Exclusive Breastfeeding Cessation and Associated Factors Among Employed Mothers in Dukem Town, Central Ethiopia. Int Breastfeed J. 2020;15:1-10.
Hayashi R, Sonoda N, Morimoto A. Mothers' Decisional Conflict and Information Needs Regarding Breastfeeding Continuation or Termination: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Survey. Int J Nurs Health Care Res. 2022;5:1372.
Khan AS, Shahid S, Riaz A, Ahmed B, Ahad AH, Mustehsan ZH. Factors Preventing Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Working and Non-Working Women. Pak J Med Health Sci. 2021;15(3):1173-7.
Hashim S, Ishak A, Muhammad J. Unsuccessful Exclusive Breastfeeding and Associated Factors Among the Healthcare Providers in East Coast, Malaysia. Korean J Fam Med. 2020;41(6):416.
Aldalili AYA, El Mahalli AA. Factors Associated With Cessation of Exclusive Breastfeeding. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2021:239-46.
Al-Katufi BA, Al-Shikh MH, Al-Hamad RF, Al-Hajri A, Al-Hejji A. Barriers in Continuing Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Working Mothers in Primary Health Care in the Ministry of Health in Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia. J Family Med Prim Care. 2020;9(2):957.
Muda SM, Aung KT, Ibrahim AF, Ismail NA. Breastfeeding Issue: A Study on Factors Affecting Termination of Breastfeeding Among Working Mothers. Int J Health Sci Res. 2016;6(9):257-63.
Chhetri S, Rao AP, Guddattu V. Factors Affecting Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) Among Working Mothers in Udupi Taluk, Karnataka. Clin Epidemiol Glob Health. 2018;6(4):216-9.
Yalçın SS, Erat Nergiz M, Yalçın S. Evaluation of Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Attitudes Among Syrian Refugees in Turkey: Observations of Syrian Healthcare Workers. Int Breastfeed J. 2023;18(1):38.
Xiao Y, Mewati S. Breastfeeding Among Working Mothers in Beijing: Challenges, Awareness Gaps, and Awareness-Practice Gaps. J Student Res. 2023;12(4).
Hamada H, Zaki A, Chala S. Female Hospital Workers in Morocco: Factors Influencing Breastfeeding Duration With Self-Reported Experiences. Health Care Women Int. 2020;41(8):928-48.
Putri MDY, Mufdlilah M, Kurniawati HF. Factors Affecting the Success of Exclusive Breastfeeding. Syntax Idea. 2023;5(3):306-23.
Abekah-Nkrumah G, Antwi MY, Nkrumah J, Gbagbo FY. Examining Working Mothers’ Experience of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Ghana. Int Breastfeed J. 2020;15:1-10.
Ranjitha R, Maroof KA, Rajoura OP, Shah D. Workplace Breastfeeding Support and Breastfeeding Practices Among Healthcare Professionals. Indian J Community Med. 2023;48(3):453-8.
Jiravisitkul P, Thonginnetra S, Kasemlawan N, Suntharayuth T. Supporting Factors and Structural Barriers in the Continuity of Breastfeeding in the Hospital Workplace. Int Breastfeed J. 2022;17(1):87.
Kimani-Murage EW, Wekesah F, Wanjohi M, Kyobutungi C, Ezeh AC, Musoke RN, et al. Factors Affecting Actualisation of the WHO Breastfeeding Recommendations in Urban Poor Settings in Kenya. Matern Child Nutr. 2015;11(3):314-32.
Hirani SAA, Richter S, Salami B, Vallianatos H. Sociocultural Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Practices of Mothers During Natural Disasters: A Critical Ethnography in Rural Pakistan. Glob Qual Nurs Res. 2023;10:23333936221148808.
Khan AS, Shahid S, Riaz A, Ahmed B, Ahad AH, Mustehsan ZH. Factors Preventing Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Working and Non-Working Women. Pak J Med Health Sci. 2021;15(3):1173-7.