scholarly journals Employed mothers’ breastfeeding: Exploring breastfeeding experience of employed mothers in different work environments in Ethiopia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0259831
Author(s):  
Firmaye Bogale Wolde ◽  
Jemal Haidar Ali ◽  
Yalemwork Getnet Mengistu
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Employment ◽  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Work Environments ◽  
Descriptive Phenomenology ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Employed Mothers

Background One of the most cost-effective interventions to enhance child health with the potential to reach families of all economic backgrounds is breastfeeding. Despite the many benefits optimal breastfeeding has, its practice is low due to various barriers among which maternal employment is mentioned repeatedly. Accordingly, this study has explored the experience of employed mothers with regards to breastfeeding, employment, and work environment in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Methods and findings A descriptive Phenomenology strategy was employed among 17 mothers drawn from different organizations, conveniently, that offer accommodation of six months maternity leave or onsite child care center or had only three months maternity leave. Data were collected through in-depth interviews until information saturation was reached. Recorded interviews were transcribed and translated and the information obtained was then organized and coded to generate overarching themes. Two themes on facilitators and barriers, and addressing barriers were generated after analysis. Mothers recognize the importance of breastfeeding for children but returning to work at three months is expressed as a major barrier to continuous breastfeeding. Mothers who have access to supporting conditions at their workplace expressed better breastfeeding practice and better satisfaction with their job. Conclusions Providing employed mothers with a supporting environment helps them work with better stability, motivation, and satisfaction. This however requires a suitable accommodation with a focus on the different kinds of work environments of the mothers and the different risks related to each respective environment via scaling up and monitoring breastfeeding interventions and calling upon institutions to remove structural and societal barriers to breastfeeding.

scholarly journals Employers' perception of breastfeeding practice of employed mothers: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Firmaye Bogale Wolde ◽  
Jemal Haidar Ali ◽  
Yalemwork Getnet Mengistu
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Descriptive Phenomenology ◽  
Employed Mothers ◽  
Governmental Institutions ◽  
Breastfeeding Practice

Abstract Background : The universal benefits of breastfeeding and human milk are demonstrated by different researches but despite the advantages only 37% of children are exclusively breastfed worldwide. Women employment is one way of ensuring women's empowerment but it is also one of the commonly mentioned factors contributing for the low prevalence of breastfeeding. Hence, there needs to be a conducive work environment that accommodates maternal needs not to fall back from empowerment and to improve breastfeeding practice. There are not many studies that focus on work environment in relation with employers’ experience and their perception of breastfeeding of employed mothers. Therefore this study aims to explore employers’ experience and perception of employed mothers’ breastfeeding experience in different working environments in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods : A descriptive Phenomenology strategy was employed in this study and purposive sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. Data was collected from 10 employers from private, governmental and non-governmental institutions through an in-depth interview. Thematic data analysis was performed where collected data was organized, coded and categorized into themes to give meaningful contributions to answering the research questions. Results : Understanding breastfeeding, current maternity leave, perception of breastfeeding supporting conditions and mother-friendly work environment were the themes generated after analysis. Almost all employers in this study recognized the importance of breastfeeding despite the different work environments they worked in and they also acknowledged the importance of making working environment mother-friendly for stability and motivation of employed mothers. Conclusions : Providing mothers with a friendly environment is understood as a positive thing by employers. The current maternity leave of three months has low acceptance and both onsite child care center and six-month maternity leave are believed to help in creating a mother-friendly work environment despite their pros and cons. Key words : Employer, Breastfeeding, Work environment, Mother-friendly, Employed mothers

scholarly journals Employers' perception of breastfeeding practice of employed mothers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Firmaye Bogale Wolde ◽  
Jemal Haidar Ali ◽  
Yalemwork Getnet Mengistu
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Descriptive Phenomenology ◽  
Employed Mothers ◽  
Governmental Institutions ◽  
Breastfeeding Practice

Abstract Background: The universal importance of breastfeeding and human milk are demonstrated by different researches but despite the importance only 37% of children are exclusively breastfed worldwide. Women employment is one way of ensuring women's empowerment but it is also one of the commonly mentioned factors contributing for the low prevalence of breastfeeding. Hence, there needs to be a conducive work environment that accommodates maternal needs not to fall back from empowerment and to improve breastfeeding practice. There are not many studies that focus on work environment in relation with employers’ experience and their perception of breastfeeding of employed mothers. Therefore this study aims to explore employers’ experience and perception of employed mothers’ breastfeeding experience in different working environments in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: A descriptive phenomenology strategy was employed in this study and purposive sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. Data was collected from 10 employers from private, governmental and non-governmental institutions through an in-depth interview. Thematic data analysis was performed where collected data was organized, coded and categorized into themes to give meaningful contributions to answering the research questions.Results: Understanding breastfeeding, current maternity leave, perception of breastfeeding supporting conditions and mother-friendly work environment were the themes generated after analysis. Almost all employers in this study recognized the importance of breastfeeding despite the different work environments they worked in and they also acknowledged the importance of making working environment mother-friendly for stability and motivation of employed mothers.Conclusions: Providing mothers with a friendly environment is understood as a positive thing by employers. The current maternity leave of three months has low acceptance and both onsite child care center and six-month maternity leave are believed to help in creating a mother-friendly work environment despite their pros and cons.

scholarly journals Experiences of workplace breastfeeding in a provincial government setting: A qualitative exploratory study among managers and mothers in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prudence Bongekile Mabaso ◽  
Ameeta Jaga ◽  
Tanya Doherty
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Provincial Government ◽  
Work Experiences ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Breastfeeding Support ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Employed Mothers

Abstract Background: Return to employment is a major barrier to breastfeeding continuation, globally and in the Southern African context. The Lancet breastfeeding series revealed an explicit need for research exploring breastfeeding as a workplace issue in low- and middle-income countries. A dearth of research on workplace breastfeeding in South Africa calls for attention to this topic. This study sought to explore breastfeeding at work experiences from the perspective of employed mothers and senior managers in a provincial government setting in South Africa.Methods: The study adopted an exploratory qualitative design with multi-perspective semi-structured interviews. Snowball sampling was employed to recruit twelve participants, (n = 4) senior managers and (n = 8) employed mothers, from two provincial government departments in Cape Town, South Africa. Interviews were conducted between April and August 2018 to capture participants’ experiences with breastfeeding in the workplace. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Results: Four key themes that described breastfeeding at work experiences emerged which further traversed three critical maternity periods: pregnancy, maternity leave, and return to work. The prevalent themes were; knowledge about the legislation and breastfeeding support benefits, perceptions and experiences of breastfeeding in the workplace, barriers to breastfeeding continuation, and recommendations to improve breastfeeding support at work. Conclusion: Our study contributions emphasise that breastfeeding support from managers should begin prior to the mother taking maternity leave, and that in addition to infrastructural developments, immediate supervisor support may be critical in fostering breastfeeding friendly workplaces for working mothers. Implications for management for advancing support for breastfeeding at work in the public sector are presented.

scholarly journals Experiences of workplace breastfeeding in a provincial government setting: a qualitative exploratory study among managers and mothers in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bongekile P. Mabaso ◽  
Ameeta Jaga ◽  
Tanya Doherty
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Maternity Leave ◽  
National Level ◽  
Provincial Government ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Breastfeeding Support ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Employed Mothers

Abstract Background Return to employment is a major barrier to breastfeeding continuation, globally and in the Southern African context. The Lancet Breastfeeding Series revealed an explicit need for research exploring breastfeeding as a workplace issue in low- and middle-income countries. A dearth of research on workplace breastfeeding in South Africa calls for attention to this topic. This study sought to explore breastfeeding at work experiences from the perspective of employed mothers and senior managers in a provincial government setting in South Africa. Methods The study adopted an exploratory qualitative design with multi-perspective semi-structured interviews. Snowball sampling was employed to recruit twelve participants, senior managers (n = 4) and employed mothers (n = 8), from two provincial government departments in Cape Town, South Africa. Interviews were conducted between April and August 2018 to capture participants’ experiences with breastfeeding in the workplace. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Results Four key themes that described experiences of workplace breastfeeding emerged which further traversed three critical maternity periods: pregnancy, maternity leave, and return to work. The prevalent themes were: 1) Knowledge about the legislation and breastfeeding support benefits. Most participants only knew about the legislated four months maternity leave and time off for prenatal visits but lacked knowledge about comprehensive maternity benefits; 2) Perceptions and experiences of breastfeeding in the workplace. Breastfeeding was perceived to be a mother’s responsibility and a private issue. As a result, most participants stopped breastfeeding prior to or immediately upon return to work after maternity leave; 3) Barriers to breastfeeding continuation, such as the absence of a conversation about infant feeding plans between managers and mothers; and 4) Recommendations to improve breastfeeding support at work from an individual, organisational and national level. Conclusions Our study contributions emphasise that breastfeeding support from managers should begin prior to the mother taking maternity leave, and that in addition to providing supportive facilities (such as private space and breastmilk storage), immediate supervisor support may be critical in fostering breastfeeding-friendly workplaces for mothers. Management implications for advancing workplace breastfeeding support in the public sector are presented.

scholarly journals Influences of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Low-wage, Working Mothers in Kenya: Perspectives from Managers, Healthcare Providers, Daycare Directors, Mothers, and Fathers (OR30-02-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Ickes ◽  
Hannah Sanders ◽  
Hellen Lemein ◽  
Joyceline Kinyua ◽  
Benson Singa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Maternal Employment ◽  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Employed Mothers ◽  
Immunization Services

Abstract Objectives Kenya has legislation and policies on maternity leave and workplace support for breastfeeding (BF), and breastmilk expression. The extent to which this framework influences the BF practices of low-wage mothers is unknown. The purpose of this study was to understand the influences of EBF for 6 mo among mothers employed in the commercial agriculture and tourism industries. Methods We conducted in-depth interviews with employed mothers (n = 25), husbands of employed mothers (n = 10), managers of commercial flower farms and hotels (n = 8), daycare directors (n = 22), and health care providers (n = 20) in Naivasha, Kenya. Results Despite a widespread recognition of the recommended 6 months duration for EBF, employed mothers describe early cessation of EBF in preparation for their return to work, following a mandated 3-mo maternity leave. Husbands of employed women support EBF and would like to see the duration of EBF extended, but note similar challenges. Managers support lactating mothers through flexible work schedules and duties, yet few farms or hotels have designated lactation areas, and most recognize that mothers prefer to arrive later or leave early rather than visit children to feed during the workday. Daycare directors describe lack of refrigeration for expressed milk, and low interest from mothers in leaving expressed milk to feed their children during the workday. Employers with on-site housing and/or daycare report a more favorable environment to support EBF. Health care providers perceive low-wage, maternal employment as a challenge to 6 months of EBF, yet see childcare and a strengthened continuum of education from antenatal care to immunization services and community outreach as opportunities to improve EBF promotion. Conclusions Beliefs about optimal BF practices do not align with practice. Mothers employed in low-wage work receive some benefits from their employers to support child care responsibilities, but distance from daycare, a low efficacy for expressing and storing milk, and lack of support for milk expression currently make EBF unattainable for most mothers in these industries. Interventions to improve the desirability and feasibility of milk expression are needed to strengthen the opportunity for EBF for employed mothers. Funding Sources Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health.

scholarly journals Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice and Maternal Employment among Mothers of Infants: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (01) ◽  
pp. 56-60
Author(s):  
Rubina Shrestha ◽  
Pradip Chhetri ◽  
Jyoti Priyanka ◽  
Chet Kant Bhusal
Keyword(s):  
Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽  
Maternal Employment ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Influencing Factor ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Employed Mothers

INTRODUCTION Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practices during first six months of life are the most cost-effective intervention for reducing infant and child morbidity and mortality. However, adherence to EBF practices in developing countries remains unsatisfactory, where maternal employment has been identified as one of the influencing factor. The study aims to identify and compare EBF practices and its factors influencing among employed and unemployed mothers. MATERIALAND METHODS An institutional based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 362 mothers of infants visiting the immunization clinic of Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa, Nepal, from December 2020 to March 2021 following ethical clearance (UCMS/IRC/114/20) and verbal consent from participants. Descriptive statistics was used to compare EBF practices and multivariate logistic regression to identify independent predictors of EBF. RESULTS Total 362 (181 employed and 181 unemployed) mothers were interviewed. Prevalence of EBF was 13.8% and 81.2% among employed and unemployed mothers respectively. Further EBF practice had significant association with working status of mothers (AOR= 15.44, 95% CI 6.76-35.25) and monthly family income (AOR=3.31, 95% CI 1.24-8.84). Among employed, EBF practice had significant association with carry infant to work place (AOR= 12.36, 95% CI 4.35-49.87) whereas type of delivery (AOR= 3.88, 95% CI 1.69-8.90) was significantly associated among unemployed mothers. CONCLUSION EBF practices among employed mothers were less than that of unemployed mothers. Provisions to provide additional supports, either by revising the period of maternity leave or adopting different alternatives to prolong the period of EBF may be beneficial for employed mothers and their children.

scholarly journals Paid maternity leave extension and exclusive breastfeeding practice: evidence from Brunei

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 435-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed M. Alhaji ◽  
Sharbawi Roslin ◽  
Adrian Kay ◽  
Nik A.A. Tuah
Keyword(s):  
Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽  
Maternal Employment ◽  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Live Births ◽  
Percentage Points ◽  
Employed Mothers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Government ◽  
Breastfeeding Practice

AbstractBackgroundExclusive breastfeeding (EBF) of infants in their first 6 months postpartum is beneficial. However, maternal employment and short maternity leave impede EBF practice. In 2011, Brunei implemented a new Maternity Leave Regulation to extend paid maternity leave.ObjectivesTo compare the prevalence of EBF between employed and nonworking mothers in Brunei, before and after extending paid maternity leave, to determine its effect on EBF and to determine the effects of maternal and infant sociodemographic characteristics.MethodsCross-sectional review of feeding records for infants born in 2010 (n = 6412, 85.5% all live births) and 2013 (n = 6680, 85.7%).ResultsEBF prevalence at 6 months postpartum increased from 29% in 2010 to 41% in 2013. EBF prevalence was higher among multiparous mothers (P < 0.001), mothers of Malay ethnicity (P < 0.05), and mothers of girls (P < 0.01 only in 2013) in both years. EBF prevalence among government-employed mothers (81.0%, 67.7%, and 57.8%) was greater than it was among nonworking mothers (79.1%, 66.3%, and 56.9%) by 1.9, 1.4, and 0.9 percentage points, respectively, during the first 3 months of active paid maternity leave in 2013. Mothers employed in the government and private sectors showed greater increases in the practice of EBF (15.5 and 10.8 percentage points respectively) than nonworking mothers (8.8 percentage points) from 2010 to 2013.ConclusionsEBF prevalence increased after extending paid maternity leave, with the greatest increases seen among employed mothers. Maternal ethnicity, parity, and the sex of the infant were also correlated with EBF.

scholarly journals Factors Related to the Duration of Breast-Feeding in Ankara, with Special Reference to Sociocultural Aspects

1992 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Benal Büyükgebiz ◽  
Necla Çevik ◽  
Olcay Oran
Keyword(s):  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Maternal Employment ◽  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Night Feeding ◽  
Employed Mothers ◽  
Planned Pregnancy ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Positive Effect

A questionnaire designed to elicit information on the relationship between certain sociocultural factors and the duration of breast-feeding was administered to 1,500 mothers. Giving colostrum, demand feeding, night feeding, feeding with both breasts, rooming-in, and planned pregnancy were factors found to have a positive effect on the duration of breast-feeding. Factors having a negative association included the use of prelacteal foods, mothers’ educations, smoking, and maternal employment. For employed mothers, paid maternity leave before and after delivery did not affect the duration of breast-feeding, but unpaid maternity leave and milk leave had a positive effect.

scholarly journals Supporting breastfeeding at work in a public sector setting: A qualitative exploratory study among managers and employed mothers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prudence Bongekile Mabaso ◽  
Ameeta Jaga ◽  
Tanya Doherty
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Provincial Government ◽  
Work Family Conflict ◽  
Breastfeeding Support ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Employed Mothers

Abstract Background: Return to employment is a major barrier to breastfeeding continuation, globally and in the Southern African context. The Lancet breastfeeding series revealed an explicit need for research exploring breastfeeding as a workplace issue in low- and middle-income countries. A dearth of research on workplace breastfeeding in South Africa, and limited awareness about legislation to protect breastfeeding employees, calls for attention to this topic. Methods: This qualitative study explored experiences of workplace breastfeeding amongst employed mothers and senior managers in two provincial government departments in South Africa. Twelve in-depth interviews were conducted with senior managers ( n = 4) and employed mothers ( n = 8). Results: Thematic analysis of the data revealed findings important to understanding mothers’ decisions about breastfeeding at work, across three critical maternity periods: 1) During pregnancy: poor knowledge about comprehensive maternity benefits and an absence of a conversation on infant feeding plans with managers meant mothers were disempowered to make informed choices about breastfeeding at work; 2) During maternity leave: stress from anticipated work-family conflict and logistical considerations influenced mothers’ decisions to wean infants; and 3) Upon return to work: mothers experienced a lack of workplace infrastructural support for breastfeeding. Conclusion: Our study contributions emphasise that breastfeeding support from managers should begin prior to the mother taking maternity leave. Immediate supervisors were found to be an important but overlooked agent to enforce legislation and provide breastfeeding support. Implications for management for advancing support for breastfeeding at work in the public sector are presented.

scholarly journals Experiences of workplace breastfeeding in a provincial government setting: A qualitative exploratory study among managers and mothers in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prudence Bongekile Mabaso ◽  
Ameeta Jaga ◽  
Tanya Doherty
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Maternity Leave ◽  
National Level ◽  
Provincial Government ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Breastfeeding Support ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Employed Mothers

Abstract Background: Return to employment is a major barrier to breastfeeding continuation, globally and in the Southern African context. The Lancet breastfeeding series revealed an explicit need for research exploring breastfeeding as a workplace issue in low- and middle-income countries. A dearth of research on workplace breastfeeding in South Africa calls for attention to this topic. This study sought to explore breastfeeding at work experiences from the perspective of employed mothers and senior managers in a provincial government setting in South Africa. Methods: The study adopted an exploratory qualitative design with multi-perspective semi-structured interviews. Snowball sampling was employed to recruit twelve participants, senior managers (n = 4) and employed mothers (n = 8), from two provincial government departments in Cape Town, South Africa. Interviews were conducted between April and August 2018 to capture participants’ experiences with breastfeeding in the workplace. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Results: Four key themes that described experiences of workplace breastfeeding emerged which further traversed three critical maternity periods: pregnancy, maternity leave, and return to work. The prevalent themes were: 1) Knowledge about the legislation and breastfeeding support benefits. Most participants only knew about the legislated four months maternity leave and time off for prenatal visits but lacked knowledge about comprehensive maternity benefits; 2) Perceptions and experiences of breastfeeding in the workplace. Breastfeeding was perceived to be a mother’s responsibility and a private issue. As a result, most participants stopped breastfeeding prior to or immediately upon return to work after maternity leave; 3) Barriers to breastfeeding continuation, such as the absence of a conversation about infant feeding plans between managers and mothers; and 4) Recommendations to improve breastfeeding support at work from an individual, organisational and national level. Conclusion: Our study contributions emphasise that breastfeeding support from managers should begin prior to the mother taking maternity leave, and that in addition to providing supportive facilities (such as private space and breastmilk storage), immediate supervisor support may be critical in fostering breastfeeding-friendly workplaces for mothers. Management implications for advancing workplace breastfeeding support in the public sector are presented.

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