Indian women's knowledge and attitudes towards human milk banks and human donor milk

Jump To References Section

Authors

  • Kanneganti Aishwarya
     ,IN
  • Sajid Asma
     ,IN
  • Ashlesha Pendli
     ,IN
  • Sashi Latha
     ,IN

Keywords:

Awareness and acceptability of HMBs is poor but the majority had positive attitudes towards HDM. Targeted educational campaigns to promote HMBs are required

Abstract

Background: When breast milk is unavailable or insufficient, pasteurized human donor milk (HDM) from human milk banks (HMBs) is recommended. South Asian women's knowledge and attitudes towards HDM and HMBs are unknown. To establish HMBs and consequently increase exclusive use of breast milk, an understanding of this is required. Objectives: To assess maternal knowledge of HMBs, acceptability of HDM, willingness to donate and/or use HDM, and determinants of milk donation and/or use of HDM. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in four tertiary institutions in India using purposive convenience sampling and a structured questionnaire. Results: 419 women were enrolled. 83.77% were exclusively breastfeeding; with higher rates observed in public institutions (P<0.001). 14.79% had heard of HMBs. 10.3% were aware of HMBs in India. 74.22% were willing to donate milk. 61.57% were willing to use HDM. Altruism was the primary motivator for willingness to donate (72.55% ). Fear of milk insufficiency (39.13%) was the primary barrier. Women preferred to donate to family (73.31% ) and infants in need (68.17%) rather than HMBs (45.02%). Women preferred to receive milk from family (82.95% ) rather than HMBs (54.26%). Main barriers to acceptance of HDM were aversion (37.37% ) and convenience of formula (37.37%). Women at private institutions preferred formula to HDM (P<0.001). Women who believed HDM had health benefits (46.54%) were more willing (P<0.001) to donate milk and receive HDM. Conclusion: Awareness and acceptability of HMBs is poor but the majority had positive attitudes towards HDM. Targeted educational campaigns to promote HMBs are required.

Downloads

Published

2021-06-10

How to Cite

Aishwarya, K., Asma, S., Pendli, A., & Latha, S. (2021). Indian women’s knowledge and attitudes towards human milk banks and human donor milk. Journal of Indian Dietetics Association, 42(2), 18–28. Retrieved from https://informaticsjournals.co.in/index.php/jida/article/view/27924

Issue

Volume 42, Issue 2, December 2019

Section

Articles

 

References

World Health Organisation. (2019). Breastfeeding. Retrieved from https ://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/e xclusive_breastfeeding/en/

Haiden N, & Ziegler E. Human Milk Banking. Ann NutrMetab 2016; 69(2):8-15.

Indian Census (2016) SRS Statistical Report. Retrieved from http://www.censusindia.gov.in/vital_sta tistics/SRS_Reports__2016.html

World Health Organisation. (2018). Preterm birth. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/preterm-birth

Chandhiok N, Singh K, Sahu D, Singh L, & Pandey, A. Changes in exclusive breastfeeding practices and its determinants in India, 1992-2006: analysis of national survey data. In t Breastfeed J 2015/10(1).

Nguyen P, Avula R, Headey D, Tran L, Ruel M, & Menon P. Progress and inequalities in infant and young child feeding practices in India between 2006 and 2016. Matern Child N u tr2018; 14 :e 12663.

Vanderlinden, K, Levecque K, & Van Rossem R. Breastfeeding or Bottled Milk? Poverty and Feeding Choices in the Native and Immigrant Population in Belgium. Jimmigr Health 2014;17(2):319-324.

Abhulimhen-Iyoha B. I, Okonkwo I. R, Ideh R. C, & Okolo, A. A. Mothers' perception of the use of banked human milk for feeding of the infants. Nigerian J Paediatrics2015-, 42(3):223-227.

Eksioglu A, Yesil Y, &CeberTurfan E. Mothers' views of milk banking: sample of Izmir. Turk Pediatri Ars 2015; 50(2):83- 89.

Ergin A, 8i Uzun S. Turkish Women's Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors on Wet-Nursing, Milk Sharing and Human Milk Banking. M atern Child Health J 2018/22(4):454-460

Gelano T, Bacha Y, Assefa N, Motumma A, Roba A, Ayele Y, e t al. Acceptability of donor breast milk banking, its use for feeding infants, and associated factors among mothers in eastern Ethiopia. Int Breastfeed J 2018; 15(1).

PimenteiraThomaz AC, Maia Loureiro LV, da Silva Oliveira T, et al. The human milk donation experience: motives, influencing factors, and regular donation. J Hum .act 2008/24(1): 69-76.

Gribble K.'Tm Happy to Be Able to Help:" Why Women Donate Milk to a Peer via Internet-Based Milk Sharing Networks. Breastfeed Med 2014; 9(5):251-256.

Sullivan E, Geraghty S, Rasmussen K. Informal Human Milk Sharing. J Hum Lact 2016;32(3):416- 424.

Perrin M, Goodell L, Fogleman A, Pettus H, Bodenheimer A, & Palmquist A. Expanding the Supply of Pasteurized Donor Milk. J Hum Lact 2016;52(2): 229- 237.

Karadag A, Ozdemir R, Ak M, Ozer A, Dogan D, &Elkiran O. Human milk banking and milk kinship: Perspectives of mothers in a Muslim country. J Trop Pediatr2015; 61(3): 188-196.

Senol D. K, &Aslan E. Women's opinions about human milk donation and human milk banking. Biomedical Research 2017;28(15):6866-6871.

Thorley V. Milk siblingship, religious and secular: History, applications, and implications for practice. Women Birth 2014;27(4):e16-e19.

Iloh KK, Osuorah CD, Ndu IK, AsinobilN, Obumneme-Anyim IN , Ezeudu CE, Oluchi UM, Anyanwu OU, Ekwochi U, Ogoke CC, Ayuk AC. Perception of donor breast milk and determinants of its acceptability among mothers in a developing community: a cross-sectional multi-center study in south-east Nigeria. Int Breastfeed J 2018; 13(1):47.

Katke R, & Saraogi M. Socio-economic factors influencing milk donation in milk banks in India: an institutional study. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2014; 389-393.