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Gilder ME, Pateekhum C, Wai NS, Misa P, Sanguanwai P, Sappayabanphot J, Tho NE, Wiwattanacharoen W, Nantsupawat N, Hashmi A, Angkurawaranon C, McGready R. Determinants of health care worker breastfeeding experience and practices and their association with provision of care for breastfeeding mothers: a mixed-methods study from Northern Thailand. Int Breastfeed J 2024; 19:8. [PMID: 38273372 PMCID: PMC10809554 DOI: 10.1186/s13006-024-00613-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improving breastfeeding rates is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent infant deaths, but most of the world falls far below WHO recommended breastfeeding practices. Confident, informed healthcare workers are an important resource to promote breastfeeding, but healthcare workers are at risk of early breastfeeding cessation themselves. Culture, ethnicity and socio-economic status impact breastfeeding rates with some of the highest and lowest rates in Southeast Asia reported from Thailand. This study explores the relationship between workplace determinants of breastfeeding, personal breastfeeding outcomes for healthcare workers, and the breastfeeding care healthcare workers provide their patients. METHODS This study used a sequential exploratory design guided by a conceptual framework based on social ecological/ecological psychology models. Participants came from four clinical sites in Northern Thailand, from ethnically Burman or Karen communities with high breastfeeding rates, and Thai communities with low breastfeeding rates. In-depth interviews (July 2020-November 2020) were followed by a quantitative survey (November 2020-July 2021) derived from validated questionnaires (Australian Breastfeeding Knowledge and Attitudes Questionnaire and the Workplace Breastfeeding Support Scale) with minor local adaptations. RESULTS Interviews highlighted the beneficial effects of supportive workplace policies, the importance of physical spaces to facilitate proximity between mothers and infants, and the problem of low milk production. Meeting the WHO recommended practices of exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months or total breastfeeding to 2 years or more was more common in sites with higher levels of breastfeeding support (aOR 7.3, 95%CI 1.8, 29.1 for exclusive breastfeeding). Exclusive breastfeeding was also higher when staff set breastfeeding goals (aOR 4.4, 95%CI 1.7, 11.5). Staff who were able to see their infants during the work day were less likely to terminate breastfeeding because of work (aOR 0.3, 95%CI 0.1, 0.8). Staff who met both WHO recommendations themselves were more likely to report high levels of confidence caring for breastfeeding patients (aOR 2.6, 95%CI 1.1, 6.4). CONCLUSIONS Workplace protections including supportive maternity leave policies and child-friendly spaces can improve breastfeeding outcomes for healthcare workers. These improved outcomes are then passed on to patients who benefit from healthcare workers who are more confident and attentive to breastfeeding problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Ellen Gilder
- Global Health and Chronic Conditions Research Group, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Chanapat Pateekhum
- Global Health and Chronic Conditions Research Group, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Nan San Wai
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
| | - Prapatsorn Misa
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
| | - Phimthip Sanguanwai
- Global Health and Chronic Conditions Research Group, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Mae Ramat Hospital, Mae Ramat, Tak, Thailand
| | - Jarntrah Sappayabanphot
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
| | | | | | - Nopakoon Nantsupawat
- Global Health and Chronic Conditions Research Group, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Ahmar Hashmi
- Institute for Implementation Science, University of Texas Health Sciences Center (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Sciences Center (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chaisiri Angkurawaranon
- Global Health and Chronic Conditions Research Group, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
| | - Rose McGready
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Ickes SB, Adams JN, Sanders HK, Kinyua J, Lemein HS, Denno DM, Myhre JA, Ithondeka A, Farquhar C, Singa B, Walson JL, Nduati R. Access to Workplace Supports is Positively Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding among Formally Employed Mothers in Kenya. J Nutr 2023; 152:2888-2897. [PMID: 36040327 PMCID: PMC9839982 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxac160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mothers in low-income settings who work in agricultural employment are challenged to meet breastfeeding (BF) recommendations. Recent legislation in Kenya mandates maternity leave and workplace supports, yet the relation of these benefits with BF practices is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the associations with workplace-provided BF supports and BF practices among formally employed mothers in Kenya. The availability of supports was hypothesized to be associated with a higher prevalence and greater odds of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). METHODS We conducted repeated cross-sectional surveys among formally employed mothers at 1-4 d and 6, 14, and 36 wk (to estimate 24 wk) postpartum in Naivasha, Kenya. We used logistic regression adjusted for maternal age, education, physical burden of work, HIV status, and income to evaluate associations between workplace supports and EBF practices. RESULTS Among formally employed mothers (n = 564), those who used onsite workplace childcare were more likely to practice EBF than those who used community- or home-based childcare at both 6 wk (95.7% compared with 82.4%, P = 0.030) and 14 wk (60.6% compared with 22.2%, P < 0.001; adjusted OR: 5.11; 95% CI: 2.3, 11.7). Likewise, at 14 wk among mothers who currently used daycare centers, a higher proportion of mothers who visited daycare centers at or near workplaces practiced EBF (70.0%) than of those not visiting daycare centers (34.7%, P = 0.005). EBF prevalence was higher among mothers with access to workplace private lactation spaces than among mothers without such spaces (84.6% compared with 55.6%, P = 0.037), and among mothers who lived in workplace housing than those without onsite housing (adjusted OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.25, 3.41). CONCLUSIONS Formally employed mothers in Kenya who have access to and use workplace-provided BF supports were more likely to practice EBF than mothers who lacked these supports. As the Kenya Health Act is implemented, lactation rooms, onsite housing and daycare, and transportation to visit children can all support BF and EBF among employed mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Ickes
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Wheaton College, IL, USA
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Medicine (Allergy and Infectious Disease), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - J N Adams
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Wheaton College, IL, USA
| | - H K Sanders
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Wheaton College, IL, USA
| | - J Kinyua
- Department of Medicine (Allergy and Infectious Disease), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - H S Lemein
- Department of Medicine (Allergy and Infectious Disease), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - D M Denno
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Deparment of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Childhood Acute Illnesses Network (CHAIN), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - J A Myhre
- Naivasha Sub-County Referral Hospital, Naivasha, Kenya
- Serge, East Africa, Bundibugyo, Uganda
| | - A Ithondeka
- Naivasha Sub-County Referral Hospital, Naivasha, Kenya
| | - C Farquhar
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Medicine (Allergy and Infectious Disease), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - B Singa
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - J L Walson
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Medicine (Allergy and Infectious Disease), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Deparment of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Childhood Acute Illnesses Network (CHAIN), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - R Nduati
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
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Thomas CL, Murphy LD, Mills MJ, Zhang J, Fisher GG, Clancy RL. Employee lactation: A review and recommendations for research, practice, and policy. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT REVIEW 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hrmr.2021.100848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Khim K, Andermann A. Challenges and opportunities in addressing social determinants of child health in Cambodia: perspectives and experience of frontline providers in two health districts. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE 2021; 112:317-330. [PMID: 33471345 PMCID: PMC7816155 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-020-00442-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Other forces related to socio-economic and cultural factors, besides biomedical and behavioural fields, also influence health but receive little attention in health research. This study aims to illuminate social determinants of health and to identify challenges and opportunities in addressing social determinants of child health (SDCH) in rural Cambodia. METHODS This is a qualitative study based on interviews of frontline primary health care providers, health officials, local authorities and community volunteers in two health districts in Cambodia. The data were supplemented by secondary data on different aspects of the districts and Cambodia. RESULTS Poverty, lack of basic commodities and adverse social conditions remained problems for population health. While access to health services was considered adequate, households and communities had several major risk exposures. Challenges in addressing SDCH were the high prevalence of social and household adverse conditions, and the lack of training of providers, of information about social services, of effective coordination and of trust in public services. Opportunities were present, including social services being existent albeit poor functioning, the traditional practice of social inquiry, existing frontline providers being open to further information and training, existing subnational coordination bodies at district and provincial levels, and use of evidence in planning and resource allocation. CONCLUSION Addressing SDCH requires broad and coordinated efforts of stakeholders from multiple sectors. Among the prerequisites are to leverage the existing structures and mechanisms, training primary health care providers and providing them with adequate information about local resources and available supports. Improving social care services and infrastructures requires strong coordination, planning and adequate resource allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keovathanak Khim
- Public Health Department, University of Health Sciences, 73, Monivong Blvd., Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Anne Andermann
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Progress towards reducing sociodemographic disparities in breastfeeding outcomes in Indonesia: a trend analysis from 2002 to 2017. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1112. [PMID: 32669120 PMCID: PMC7362438 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09194-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Improving breastfeeding practice is important for reducing child health inequalities and achieving several Sustainable Development Goals. Indonesia has enacted legislation to promote optimal breastfeeding practices in recent years. We examined breastfeeding practices among Indonesian women from 2002 to 2017, comparing trends within and across sociodemographic subgroups. Methods Data from four waves of the Indonesia Demographic and Health Surveys were used to estimate changes in breastfeeding practices among women from selected sociodemographic groups over time. We examined three breastfeeding outcomes: (1) early initiation of breastfeeding; (2) exclusive breastfeeding; and (3) continued breastfeeding at 1 year. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess changes in time trends of each outcome across population groups. Results The proportion of women reporting early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding increased significantly between 2002 to 2017 (p < 0.05), with larger increases among women who: were from higher wealth quintiles; worked in professional sectors; and lived in Java and Bali. However, 42.7% of women reported not undertaking early initiation of breastfeeding, and 48.9% of women reported not undertaking exclusive breastfeeding in 2017. Women who were employees had lower exclusive breastfeeding prevalence, compared to unemployed or self-employed women. Women in Java and Bali had higher increase in early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding compared to women in Sumatra. We did not find statistically significant decline in continued breastfeeding at 1 year over time for the overall population, except among women who: were from the second poorest wealth quintile; lived in rural areas; did not have a health facility birth; and lived in Kalimantan and Sulawesi (p < 0.05). Conclusions There were considerable improvements in breastfeeding practices in Indonesia during a period of sustained policy reform to regulate breastfeeding and community support of breastfeeding, but these were not distributed uniformly across socioeconomic, occupation and geographic subgroups. Concerted efforts are needed to further reduce inequities in breastfeeding practice through both targeted and population-based strategies.
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