Work related determinants of breastfeeding discontinuation among employed mothers in Malaysia

Abstract

BackgroundThis cross-sectional study assesses factors that contribute to discontinuing breastfeeding among employed mothers in Malaysia.MethodsA structured questionnaire was used in conducting this study involving all government health clinics in Petaling district between July and September 2006. Respondents were Malaysian women with children between the ages of six to twelve months who were formally employed. Factors studied were selected socio-demographic and work-related characteristics.ResultsFrom a total of 290 respondents, 51% discontinued breastfeeding. The majority (54%) of mothers who discontinued breastfeeding had breastfed their babies for less than three months. Compared to Malay mothers, the risk of breastfeeding discontinuation were higher among Chinese (AOR 3.7, 95% CI: 1.7, 7.8) and Indian mothers (AOR 7.3, 95% CI 1.9, 27.4). Not having adequate breastfeeding facilities at the workplace was also a risk factor for breastfeeding discontinuation (AOR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.05, 3.1).ConclusionIt is important that workplaces provide adequate breastfeeding facilities such as a room in which to express breast milk and a refrigerator, and allow mothers flexible time to express breast milk.

Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice among Mothers of Children Under Two Years Old In Dilla Zuria District, Gedeo Zone, Snnpr, Ethiopia, 2014

“…This finding supports study conducted in east Ethiopia which revealed Nonexclusive breastfeeding was more likely to be practiced by mothers who had no access to health facility AOR (95% CI) = 2.9 (1.9,4.3) [10] and Nigeria which revealed that mothers who visited health professionals, or made 4 or more antenatal clinic visits were significantly more likely to exclusively breastfeed their babies, and these findings suggests that appropriate message about breastfeeding are being delivered by antenatal care staff [11]. In the qualitative study, those mothers had contact with health professionals have adequate knowledge regarding EBF.…”

“…For quantitative: To estimate the prevalence of EBF a single population proportion formula was used with the following assumptions: national prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at age 4-5 month was 0.32 [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17], margin of error 5% (desired precision between sample and population parameter), and a 5% contingency for the nonresponse. Final sample size was 354.…”

Knowledge and Beliefs About Breastfeeding Are Not Determinants for Successful Breastfeeding

“…The lack of support from the workplace may be a reason why these mothers decide to discontinue or not to consider breastfeeding, even though they had a positive attitude toward breastfeeding. Amin et al 6 in their study conducted in 2006 concluded that providing a more conducive environment for breastfeeding would encourage a higher rate of exclusive breastfeeding among working mothers.…”

Impact of Maternal Occupation on Health and Nutritional Status of Preschoolers. (In Srinagar City)

“…A study conducted among Malaysian women aged between 25-35 years found that majority of working mothers had stopped breastfeeding in less than three months. In addition to this, Chinese and Indian mothers have higher risk of discontinuing breastfeeding compared to Malay mothers (Amin et al, 2011). This might be caused by inadequate breastfeeding facilities provided at workplace.…”