Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Donated Milk and their Socio-demographic Predictors in Healthcare Providers in Tabriz, 2021: A Cross-sectional Study

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Medical and Paramedical Students Toward Human Milk Banks and Breast Milk Donation

Background and objectives Human milk benefits for both mothers and babies are widely acknowledged. Human milk banks (HMBs) are essential in providing newborns who would not otherwise have access to pasteurized and stored human milk. The objective of this research was to investigate the understanding, opinions, and outlooks of medical and paramedical students regarding breast milk donation and the concept of an HMB. Material and methods A total of 398 professional female students specializing in physiotherapy, nursing, and medicine were given an online self-administered questionnaire as part of a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data on the characteristics, HMB knowledge, awareness levels, and attitudes toward HMB and breast milk donation were to be gathered through the questionnaire. Every student's answer to the survey was kept private and confidential. Result According to the survey, 188 students (47.24%) belong to the medical college, 126 students (31.66%) belong to the physiotherapy college, and the remaining 84 students (21.11%) are from the nursing college. A total of 294 students (74.12%) had heard about human milk banking before and received information from health professionals (195 students, 48.99%), the news (67 students, 16.83%), and family and friends (61 students, 15.33%). However, only 224 students (56.28%) are willing to feed their babies with HMB milk in the future. On the other hand, 216 students (54.27%) are ready to donate breast milk to HMB. The majority of students have a favorable opinion of breast milk donation. A staggering 394 students (98.99%) think that donating human milk can save babies. Furthermore, 379 students (95.23%) think that all the nutrients needed for a baby's healthy development are found in human milk. Merely 350 students (87.93%) think that breastfeeding does not result in malnourishment for either the mother or the baby. When there is an excess of milk, the majority of students (378 or 94.97%) think that there is nothing wrong with donating it. Moreover, 312 (80.41%) students are happy to donate milk in the future. A total of 373 students (93.71%) are overjoyed that a sick baby will survive because of their donated milk. Only 100 students (25.12%) will give milk, though, and only to the infants of their friends and relatives, never to complete strangers. Conclusion A dearth of knowledge pertaining to human milk banking is rampant among medical and paramedical female students, yet the gravity of the circumstances remains concealed. Consequently, it is imperative to extensively educate all Indian communities about the concept of human milk banking to gain widespread acceptance. This research sheds light on the issue and promotes scientific knowledge of HMB, as many students are unaware of it.

Improving milk donation behavior through an educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior: study protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Breastfeeding mothers' decisions to donate their milk is influenced by their knowledge, attitudes, and subjective norms such as their family's opinions on milk donation. In Iran, women have favorable knowledge and positive attitudes toward breastfeeding, but they lack sufficient information and education about milk banks. With respect to current childbearing policies, an increase in the number of infants who will be admitted to neonatal intensive care units is expected. Accordingly, improving milk donation behavior, which requires mothers' intention and ability to donate breast milk, is important for infants' survival and well-being. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether an educational program based on the theory of planned behavior affects breastfeeding mothers' decisions to donate their breast milk.

METHODS

This cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted in health centers affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences and will enroll 66 breastfeeding mothers (intervention, n = 33; control, n = 33). After collecting baseline data, the intervention group will begin receiving a 60-minute weekly educational program based on Theory of Planned Behavior components for four weeks. The first follow-up assessment will be conducted immediately after the intervention, and the final one will be conducted 12 weeks later. The primary outcomes are the number of mothers who have donated their breast milk and changes in breastfeeding mothers' knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control about donor human milk and intention to donate milk.

DISCUSSION

This trial will evaluate if a well-designed educational program can improve breastfeeding mothers' knowledge and promote their behavioral factors regarding milk donation and lead to a significant increase in the number of potential milk donors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

irct.ir (IRCT20230124057203N1) registered February 14, 2023.

"It's just like a blood transfusion": perceptions on the use of donated breast milk in selected hospitals in central Uganda: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Breast milk is crucial for the nutritional and developmental milestones in the first two years of life. Uganda has recognized the need for a human milk bank as an opportunity that offers reliable and healthy milk to babies who lack access to their mothers. However, there is little information on the perceptions towards donated breast milk in Uganda. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of mothers, fathers, and health workers on the use of donated breast milk at Nsambya and Naguru hospitals in Kampala district, central Uganda.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted at Nsambya and Naguru hospitals in central Uganda. The study consisted of 8 focus group discussions (FGDs) of 6 participants each and 19 key informant interviews (KIIs) among mothers, fathers, and health workers. Participants were purposively selected. Data collected were transcribed, translated from Luganda to English, and analyzed using thematic analysis. All data were organized and managed in Nvivo version 12.0.

RESULTS

A total of 67 participants were involved in the study. Two main themes were identified: positive perceptions and negative perceptions. Participants linked donated breast milk to blood transfusion, believed it had nutrients comparable to the biological mother's milk, and thought it was an opportunity to avoid formula or cow milk and help babies that cannot access breast milk. However, the notable negative perceptions were; the feeling that donated breast milk is disgusting, could result in acquiring non-parental genes and traits, and that it was unsafe. Participants also feared that donated breast milk could be expensive and affect the bond between mother and child.

CONCLUSION

In summary, participants had positive perceptions about donated breast milk but were concerned about the potential side effects. Health workers should take extra precautions to ensure that donated breast milk is safe. The development of appropriate information and communication programs to sensitize the public about the benefits of donated breast milk will improve the uptake. Further research should focus on understanding the social-cultural beliefs regarding donated breast milk.