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

Authors

  • Rubina Shrestha Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa, Nepal
  • Pradip Chhetri Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa, Nepal
  • Jyoti Priyanka Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa, Nepal
  • Chet Kant Bhusal Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa, Nepal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jucms.v9i01.37978

Keywords:

Breast feeding practices, Exclusive breastfeeding, Maternal employment status

Abstract

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.

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Author Biographies

Rubina Shrestha, Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa, Nepal

Department of Community Medicine

Pradip Chhetri, Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa, Nepal

Department of Community Medicine

Jyoti Priyanka, Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa, Nepal

Department of Community Medicine

Chet Kant Bhusal, Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa, Nepal

Department of Community Medicine

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Published

2021-06-22

How to Cite

Shrestha, R., Chhetri, P., Priyanka, J., & Bhusal, C. K. (2021). Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice and Maternal Employment among Mothers of Infants: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Universal College of Medical Sciences, 9(01), 56–60. https://doi.org/10.3126/jucms.v9i01.37978

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 01 (2021)

Section

Original Articles

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