Awareness And Acceptance Of Human Milk Donation Among Lactating Mothers Attending A Tertiary Care Hospital In South India

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:-

Breastfeeding for at least two years is advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as optimal for infant growth and development, with exclusive breastfeeding recommended for the first six months. Breast milk provides essential nutrients, growth hormones, and immune factors vital to a child's health. However, issues like lactation insufficiency, work commitments, and socio-cultural influences may hinder breastfeeding, leading to an increase in formula milk usage. Mother milk banks (MMBs) have emerged to provide donated breast milk for infants in need, especially when a mother's milk is unavailable. WHO, along with UNICEF, endorses donated human milk as the preferred alternative. Globally, around 500 milk banks exist, with notable growth in Europe, Africa, and Asia. This study explores the knowledge and acceptance of breast milk donation among mothers to boost donations and improve breastfeeding practices.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:-

This study aims to examine mothers' knowledge and attitudes regarding breast milk donation, with an emphasis on understanding their acceptance of the practice. By evaluating the awareness and perspectives of  mothers, the research intends to collect essential data to support the establishment and growth of breast milk banks, ultimately facilitating broader access to donated human milk for infants in need.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:-‘

This 12-month study by the Department of Paediatrics at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital includes 300 lactating mothers from the Postnatal ward and immunization clinic. Participants are either mothers who delivered at the hospital or have children under two years visiting the clinic. Data analysis will be performed using SPSS software, with categorical variables reported as frequencies and percentages, and continuous variables as means with standard deviations. Univariate analysis will be used to identify risk factors, and associations between variables will be assessed using the Chi-square test and independent samples t-test. A p-value of less than 0.05 will indicate statistical significance.

RESULTS:-

In this study, 67.3% of participants were aged 21-25, with 14.3% being illiterate and 18% having only completed middle school. Higher education was linked to greater awareness of breast milk donation. Most participants (70.7%) were unemployed, potentially contributing to lower awareness. A large portion (88%) lived in nuclear families, while joint families seemed more inclined to donate. The majority (68.7%) came from low to middle socio-economic backgrounds, and 63.7% had only one child. Although 89.7% had four or more antenatal visits and 61.3% initiated breastfeeding immediately after birth, only 28.3% knew about breast milk donation, and 11.7% were aware of milk banks. However, 56.5% expressed willingness to donate with proper guidance. Key concerns included milk supply (74.8%) and infection fears (66.1%).

CONCLUSION:-

In conclusion, the majority of breastfeeding mothers showed a positive outlook toward donating breast milk. The study emphasizes the importance of healthcare professionals, especially nurses, in expanding their knowledge of breastfeeding and donation to promote awareness and support the establishment of breast milk banks. Further research should explore healthcare professionals' perspectives, as their input is essential for the success of milk donation programs.