Satisfaction of mothers regarding human milk donation

Factors related to milk donation based on the theory of planned behavior in pregnant women

The willingness to donate milk is influenced by maternal behavior, and the Theory of Planned Behavior is recognized as a significant predictor of this action. This study aims to identify the factors associated with milk donation among pregnant women based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. This descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study utilized stratified and convenience sampling methods on 337 pregnant women attending women's health and midwifery clinics affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2024. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and a milk donation intention questionnaire based on the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Statistical analyses, including descriptive and inferential tests at a significance level of 0.05, were performed using SPSS-26. The average age of pregnant women was 30.16 years. The willingness of pregnant women to donate milk was relatively adequate. Urban-dwelling pregnant women showed a greater willingness to donate milk compared to their rural counterparts (p = 0.031). Age (r = 0.118), awareness (r = 0.413), attitude (r = 0.562), perceived behavioral control (r = 0.542), and subjective norms (r = 0.521) had positive and significant correlations with the intention to donate milk among participants (p < 0.05). Awareness was significantly correlated with attitude (r = 0.575), perceived behavioral control (r = 0.555), and subjective norms (r = 0.503). According to the results, the Theory of Planned Behavior serves as an appropriate predictor for the intention to donate milk among pregnant women. Therefore, to establish and expand milk banks, policymakers in health should consider utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior in pregnant women. Tailoring milk donation programs based on related factors identified in this study could enhance overall donation rates and support infants in need.

Beliefs and views of breastfeeding mothers regarding human milk banking: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine the beliefs and opinions of breastfeeding mothers about human milk banking.

METHODS

This study was conducted as a case study, which is a qualitative research method. The population researched consisted of women who applied to the Gaziantep Health Care Family Health Center between June and December 2022. The sample included 30 mothers selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected using a descriptive characteristics form and a semistructured interview form. Ethical committee and institutional approvals were obtained. The data were analyzed using the MAXQDA qualitative research software program.

RESULTS

The majority of the breastfeeding mothers had limited knowledge about human milk banking and considered it religiously problematic. They held the belief that breastfeeding siblings should not marry each other on religious grounds. The mothers were willing to act as wet nurses in case of necessity, but they expressed a preference against having their own baby nursed by another woman. They also stated that they would consider using milk banks only if the information provided was limited to the mother and baby. Additionally, it was observed that if they found themselves in a difficult situation, they would only seek a wet nurse from their immediate social circle.

CONCLUSION

The breastfeeding mothers expressed that milk banking was a beneficial practice; however, they had religious reservations about it. It was observed that they would be willing to donate their milk to these banks and use them in times of need under certain conditions. These conditions included ensuring that the milk is not mixed, providing information about the mother and baby to families, having babies of the same sex, and adhering to strict cleanliness and hygiene measures.

Psychological factors and barriers to donating and receiving milk from human milk banks: A review

Human milk banks (HMBs), established in the early 20th century, aimed to provide safe breast milk for infants with challenges obtaining it. The spread of infections since the 1980s resulted in strict regulations and screening in HMBs, to ensure the safety of donated milk. Several social and personal factors discourage mothers from practicing breastfeeding, making donated milk a viable alternative because of its protective and immunity-enhancing properties. However, psychological barriers can affect the decision to donate or receive donated milk. To identify psychological factors related to donating and receiving human milk from HMBs, we searched PubMed to identify studies reporting psychological factors in donating and receiving milk and excluding studies not reporting psychological factors. The search identified 28 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Eligible studies from various countries spanned from 1995 to 2023 and focused on psychological factors influencing milk donation and receiving. Most studies were descriptive-qualitative. Factors facilitating or hindering milk donation and reception included perceptions, psychological aspects, and previous experiences. Positive factors for donors included the desire to help other mothers, support from health care professionals, and personal well-being. Negative factors included breast milk exclusivity and discomfort caused by health checks. For recipients, awareness of donated milk benefits was a positive factor, whereas fear regarding safety was negative. The altruistic motivation to help other mothers drove many women to donate. Proper awareness and support from health care professionals and families can help women understand the value of milk donation and support their personal and identity reintegration, especially in cases of the loss of a child.

Facilitators and Barriers of Human Milk Donation

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to examine perceptions and experiences of women who donate human milk and highlight various aspects of the breast milk donation process.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional descriptive study.

METHODS

An online survey was conducted with a convenience sample of women who donated milk at several milk banks in the United States. A questionnaire of 36 closed and open-ended items were developed and validated by the research team. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used. Semantic content analysis involved three procedures: coding, categorizing text units, and refining the identified themes.

RESULTS

A total of 236 women who donated breast milk completed the questionnaire. Mean age of participants was 32.7±4.27 and 89.40% were non-Hispanic White women with a bachelor's degree (32.20%) or graduate degree (54.70%). Most participants were women who actively donated breast milk, ranging from one to four times. Two themes, facilitators and barriers of milk donation, were identified. Facilitators to milk donation included attitudes toward milk donation, commitment for donating, motivation in donating, and support. Barriers included personal factors, environment, milk donor process, and psychosocial factors.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Nurses, health care providers, and lactation professionals should educate women about milk donation resources and opportunities. Strategies to increase awareness about milk donation among underrepresented groups such as women of color are highly recommended. Future research is needed to further explore specific factors that increase milk donation awareness and minimize barriers to potential donors.

Molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus isolates from human milk samples in Brazil

Human milk is the best nutrient for infants. The donor human milk is stored in a milk bank before pasteurization. However, the human milk is not sterile and could be colonized with different types of bacteria. Many studies have shown S. aureus to be the most prevalent potential pathogen detected in human milk. This study characterized 22 methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus isolates from raw human milk for the presence of virulence genes and agr type. Moreover, the genotypic as identified characterization was realized. The presence of virulence genes sei, seg, sec, seh, and etb was identified in resistant and sensitive strains. We observed the predominance of agr type II. The presence of SCCmec IV (67%, 4/6) and V (33%, 2/6) characterized resistant strains as CA-MRSA. Endemic lineages detected (ST1635/CC5-t002, ST5/CC5-t002, ST72/CC5-t126, ST1/CC1-t127, ST45/CC45-t065, and ST398/t1451) could be related to epidemic clones, such as USA800/ST5, USA700/ST72, USA400/ST1, USA600/ST45, and ST398. This study made it possible to understand the characteristics of virulence and clonality of some strains that circulate in breast milk in our region. The discovery of human milk colonization by MSSA and MRSA strains with molecular characteristics similar to infectious clones spread globally demonstrates the importance of monitoring strains that can spread and cause serious infections.