Acceptability of donated breast milk in a resource limited South African setting

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The importance of breast milk for infants' growth, development and overall health is widely recognized. In situations where women are not able to provide their infants with sufficient amounts of their own breast milk, donor brea...

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Main Authors: Coutsoudis Anna, Petrites Alissa, Coutsoudis Irene
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2011-02-01
Series:International Breastfeeding Journal
Online Access:http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/6/1/3
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spelling doaj-a9b221d54a174751b131f024e366fc422020-11-24T21:04:01ZengBMCInternational Breastfeeding Journal1746-43582011-02-0161310.1186/1746-4358-6-3Acceptability of donated breast milk in a resource limited South African settingCoutsoudis AnnaPetrites AlissaCoutsoudis Irene<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The importance of breast milk for infants' growth, development and overall health is widely recognized. In situations where women are not able to provide their infants with sufficient amounts of their own breast milk, donor breast milk is the next preferred option. Although there is considerable research on the safety and scientific aspects of donor milk, and the motivations and experiences of donors, there is limited research addressing the attitudes and experiences of the women and families whose infants receive this milk. This study therefore examined attitudes towards donated breast milk among mothers, families and healthcare providers of potential recipient infants.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was conducted at a public hospital and nearby clinic in Durban, South Africa. The qualitative data was derived from eight focus group discussions which included four groups with mothers; one with male partners; and one with grandmothers, investigating attitudes towards receiving donated breast milk for infants. There was also one group each with nurses and doctors about their attitudes towards donated breast milk and its use in the hospital. The focus groups were conducted in September and October 2009 and each group had between four and eleven participants, leading to a total of 48 participants.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Although breast milk was seen as important to child health there were concerns about undermining of breast milk because of concerns about HIV and marketing and promotion of formula milks. In addition there were concerns about the safety of donor breast milk and discomfort about using another mother's milk. Participants believed that education on the importance of breast milk and transparency on the processes involved in sourcing and preparing donor milk would improve the acceptability.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study has shown that there are obstacles to the acceptability of donor milk, mainly stemming from lack of awareness/familiarity with the processes around donor breast milk and that these could be readily addressed through education. Even the more psychological concerns would also likely be reduced over time as these educational efforts progress. With government and health care worker endorsement and commitment, breast milk donation could have a promising role in improving child health.</p> http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/6/1/3
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Coutsoudis Anna
Petrites Alissa
Coutsoudis Irene
spellingShingle Coutsoudis Anna
Petrites Alissa
Coutsoudis Irene
Acceptability of donated breast milk in a resource limited South African setting
International Breastfeeding Journal
author_facet Coutsoudis Anna
Petrites Alissa
Coutsoudis Irene
author_sort Coutsoudis Anna
title Acceptability of donated breast milk in a resource limited South African setting
title_short Acceptability of donated breast milk in a resource limited South African setting
title_full Acceptability of donated breast milk in a resource limited South African setting
title_fullStr Acceptability of donated breast milk in a resource limited South African setting
title_full_unstemmed Acceptability of donated breast milk in a resource limited South African setting
title_sort acceptability of donated breast milk in a resource limited south african setting
publisher BMC
series International Breastfeeding Journal
issn 1746-4358
publishDate 2011-02-01
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The importance of breast milk for infants' growth, development and overall health is widely recognized. In situations where women are not able to provide their infants with sufficient amounts of their own breast milk, donor breast milk is the next preferred option. Although there is considerable research on the safety and scientific aspects of donor milk, and the motivations and experiences of donors, there is limited research addressing the attitudes and experiences of the women and families whose infants receive this milk. This study therefore examined attitudes towards donated breast milk among mothers, families and healthcare providers of potential recipient infants.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was conducted at a public hospital and nearby clinic in Durban, South Africa. The qualitative data was derived from eight focus group discussions which included four groups with mothers; one with male partners; and one with grandmothers, investigating attitudes towards receiving donated breast milk for infants. There was also one group each with nurses and doctors about their attitudes towards donated breast milk and its use in the hospital. The focus groups were conducted in September and October 2009 and each group had between four and eleven participants, leading to a total of 48 participants.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Although breast milk was seen as important to child health there were concerns about undermining of breast milk because of concerns about HIV and marketing and promotion of formula milks. In addition there were concerns about the safety of donor breast milk and discomfort about using another mother's milk. Participants believed that education on the importance of breast milk and transparency on the processes involved in sourcing and preparing donor milk would improve the acceptability.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study has shown that there are obstacles to the acceptability of donor milk, mainly stemming from lack of awareness/familiarity with the processes around donor breast milk and that these could be readily addressed through education. Even the more psychological concerns would also likely be reduced over time as these educational efforts progress. With government and health care worker endorsement and commitment, breast milk donation could have a promising role in improving child health.</p>
url http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/6/1/3
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