Abstract
BackgroundHospitals have a role to play in supporting, protecting and promoting breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to describe hospital breastfeeding policy and practices and breastfeeding rates among mothers attending General Paediatric Outpatient Clinic at a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study involving paediatric nurses and doctors, as well as the mothers who brought their child to the General Paediatric Outpatient Clinic. Two sets of questionnaires, different in content, were administered to doctors and nurses, and to mothers of children aged 6-24 months, to assess hospital policy and breastfeeding rates, respectively. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with duration of breastfeeding.ResultsAlthough the hospital had a written breastfeeding policy copies of the policy were not clearly displayed in any of the units in the Paediatric department. Almost half the staff (48%; 60/125) were not aware of the policy. The hospital had no breastfeeding support group. Nearly three quarters (92/125) of the staff had received lactation management training. 36% (112/311) of mothers exclusively breastfed for six months, 42% (129/311) had stopped breastfeeding at the time of the survey. 67% (207/311) of babies were given infant formula, 85% (175/207) before 6 months. Women who had antenatal care in private hospitals and were Christian were more likely to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. Low maternal education was the only factor associated with breastfeeding longer than 12 months.ConclusionBreastfeeding practices and policy implementation at this outpatient clinic were suboptimal. We have identified a need for interventions to increase knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding and to provide support for its longer term duration. We suggest that BFHI be considered across all facilities concerned with infant and early child health to disseminate appropriate information and promote an increase in exclusive breastfeeding for six months as well as the duration of breastfeeding.
Highlights
Hospitals have a role to play in supporting, protecting and promoting breastfeeding
Characteristics of General Paediatrics Outpatient Clinic (GPOC) and staff The hospital has a written hospital policy on breastfeeding practices, but none was posted on the wall at the GPOC or any of the other units in paediatrics department
This study described breastfeeding policy and practices in addition to breastfeeding rates and duration amongst a group of mothers who attended a Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) accredited
Summary
Hospitals have a role to play in supporting, protecting and promoting breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to describe hospital breastfeeding policy and practices and breastfeeding rates among mothers attending General Paediatric Outpatient Clinic at a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. Breastfeeding reduces morbidity and mortality from common childhood diseases such as diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, and protein energy malnutrition [2,3] It allows for proper maternal and child bonding and offers mothers some protection against ovarian cancer, breast cancer and hip fractures [4,5,6]. The current practice in Nigeria is for BFHI activities to be concentrated in maternity, post-natal and, well-baby clinics and primary health care and immunization centres Other potential channels such as the General Paediatrics Outpatient Clinic (GPOC) that could be used to educate and motivate mothers about breastfeeding practices are rarely utilized [12].
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