Evaluation of Workplace Breastfeeding Support for Female Staff in a Nigerian University
[1]
Andy Emmanuel, Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
[2]
Mangai J. Mafuyai, Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
[3]
Dajwal Jidauna M., College of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
[4]
Gotodok K. Hosea, Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
[5]
Habila Y. Elisha, Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
Return to work after maternity leave competes with child rearing practices like breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to examine breastfeeding support for working mothers in university of Jos, Nigeria. A descriptive design was adopted in studying ninety women who voluntarily participated in the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Findings indicated that 51% of the women can adjust their working hours to accommodate the need to breastfeed, 42% were allowed to take long enough or frequent breaks lactation breaks, 28% breastfed during work while 80% breastfeed before and after work only. It was concluded that support for breastfeeding at work was poor. Therefore, management of the university should urgently ensure enforcement of policies that will promote and sustain breastfeeding at the workplace.
Breastfeeding, Evaluation, Workplace, Support, University, Nigeria
[1]
World Health Organization & UNICEF. (2011): The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Geneva, WHO.
[2]
UNICEF (2015) Breastfeeding. WWW.UNICEF.org/nutrition/index24824.HTML (accessed 11 march 2016).
[3]
Raffle, H., Ware, L. J., Borchardt, A. R. & Strickland, H. A. Factors that influence breastfeeding initiation and persistence in Ohio’s Appalachian region. 2011; Voinovich School of leadership and public affairs at Ohio.
[4]
Shuhaimi, F and Muniandy, N. D. The Association of Maternal employment Status on Nutritional Status Among Children in Selected Kindergartens in Malaysia. Asian Journal of Clinical nutrition. 2012; 4:53-66.
[5]
Noble, S and ALSPAC study team. Maternal employment and the initiation of breastfeeding. Acta Paediatrica. 2007; 90 (4): 423-428.
[6]
Emmanuel, A & Clow, S (2016): Infant feeding intention of pregnant women in Plateau State, Nigeria. African Journal of midwifery and women's health; 10 (2): 3-9.
[7]
World Health Organization & UNICEF. (2013): Essential nutrition actions: Improving maternal, newborn, infant and young child health, Geneva, WHO.
[8]
Weber, D., Janson, A., Nolan, M., Ming, L., & Rissel, C. (2011). Female employees’ perceptions of organizational support for breastfeeding at work: Findings from an Australian health service workplace. International breastfeeding Journal. 6(19), 2-7.
[9]
Uchenna, O. (2012). Problems encountered by breastfeeding mothers in their practice of exclusive breast feeding in tertiary hospitals in Enugu State, South-east Nigeria. International Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism. 4(8), 107–113.
[10]
Danso, J (2014): Examining the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among professional working mothers in Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. International journal of nursing 1(1): 11-24.
[11]
Sadoh, A. E., Sadoh, W. E., & Oniyelu, P. (2011). Breast feeding practice amongmedical women in Nigeria. Nigerian Medical Journal. 52(1), 7-12. Retrieved from: http://www.nigeriamedj.com/text.asp?2011/52/1/7/80065
[12]
Joy, R & Baker, E (2014) Breastfeeding practices of peadiatrician mothers: Do we practice what we preach? Brazilian Journal of mother and child health; 99: 23-32.
