Exclusive Breastfeeding in Health Personnel: Incidence and Barriers

Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months (EBF) in healthcare personnel is challenging due to work schedules, high workloads, or separation issues. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and factors related to EBF in our hospital personnel.

This was a cross-sectional study. Female employees who took maternity leave within 2 years were approached. A questionnaire regarding factors associated with EBF was sent to participants. Factors associated with EBF were analyzed using logistic regression analysis.

There were 110 mothers enrolled. The mean maternal age was 32.5 ± 4.21 years, 66.36% came from the nursing department, the infant's age was 6-24 months, and 46.4% of mothers had previous breastfeeding experience. Our EBF for 6 months rate was 63.6%. Breastfeeding attitude (OR = 1.12, 95%CI 1.08-1.38), perception of breastfeeding obstacle (OR = 1.45, 95%CI 1.26-1.66), breastfeeding behavior (OR = 1.17, 95%CI 1.08-1.26), and support from health system (OR = 1.09, 95%CI 1.01-1.19) were significantly associated with EBF. From multiple logistic regression models, perception of breastfeeding obstacles (aOR 1.55, 95%CI 1.27-1.90), breastfeeding behavior (aOR 1.12, 95%CI 1.01-1.24), and support from health care system (aOR 0.84, 95%CI 0.72-0.97) remain the significant factors associated with successful EBF.

Successful EBF was prevalent in mothers who had good attitudes to breastfeeding, perceived low levels of obstacles, and had support from the health care system.