Survey on the Status of Breastfeeding in Korean Medical Institution Workers

Abstract

Background Human breast milk is essential and provides irreplaceable nutrients for early humans. However, breastfeeding is not easy for various reasons in medical institution environments. Therefore, in order to improve the breastfeeding environment, we investigated the difficult reality of breastfeeding through questionnaire responses from medical institution workers. Methods A survey was conducted among 179 medical institution workers with experience in childbirth within the last five years. The survey results of 175 people were analyzed, with incoherent answers excluded. Results Of the 175 people surveyed, a total of 108 people (61.7%) worked during the day, and 33 people (18.9%) worked in three shifts. Among 133 mothers who stayed with their babies in the same nursing room, 111 (93.3%) kept breastfeeding for more than a month, but among those who stayed apart, only 10 (71.4%) continued breastfeeding for more than a month ( P = 0.024). Ninety-five (88.0%) of daytime workers, 32 (94.1%) two-shift workers, and 33 (100%) three-shift workers continued breastfeeding for more than a month ( P = 0.026). Workers in general hospitals tended to breastfeed for significantly longer than those that worked in tertiary hospitals ( P = 0.003). A difference was also noted between occupation categories ( P = 0.019), but a more significant difference was found in the comparison between nurses and doctors ( P = 0.012). Longer breastfeeding periods were noted when mothers worked three shifts ( P = 0.037). Depending on the period planned for breastfeeding prior to childbirth, the actual breastfeeding maintenance period after birth showed a significant difference ( P = 0.002). Of 112 mothers who responded to the question regarding difficulties in breastfeeding after returning to work, 87 (77.7%) mentioned a lack of time caused by being busy at work, 82 (73.2%) mentioned the need for places and appropriate circumstances. Conclusion In medical institutions, it is recommended that environmental improvements in medical institutions, the implementation of supporting policies, and the provision of specialized education on breastfeeding are necessary to promote breastfeeding.

The Current Status of Prolonged Breastfeeding and Its Related Factors in Korean Infants and Their Mothers: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

“…However, compared to EBF, PBF is more sustainable after work if it is motivating and supported at work and at home. 31 32 There are reports that BF continuation after returning to work is influenced by occupation type and working conditions 27 31 33 ; however, in this study, the association between occupation type and EBF or PBF was not significant and was excluded from the final analysis. In the future, more well-designed national-level data on this topic may be needed for future policy formulation to promote BF.…”

“…Additionally, a recent Korean study of healthcare workers found that those who planned for 6 months of EBF actually breastfed longer than those who planned for mixed feedings from the start. 27 Therefore, to increase the EBF and PBF rates, it is necessary to analyze the causes to choose early mixed feeding and establish countermeasures while simultaneously reviewing current policies and determining improvement points. Emphasizing BF through newborn-age screening, which has been added to the NHSPIC since 2021, 13 could be used as a countermeasure to the increase in early mixed feeding, and further evaluation of this expectation is needed.…”

Development of a multidisciplinary medication management program in nursing homes: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…One study reported that 70% of LTCF residents received five or more prescribed medications [ 3 ], and another study reported that approximately 40% of LTCF residents received PIMs compared to 20–25% of older adults living in the community [ 4 ]. In South Korea, the average number of medications taken by residents in an LTCF was reportedly 10.6 ± 4.2, those taking ≥ 11 constituted 45.7% [ 5 ], and PIM users were reported at 40.7% [ 6 ].…”