Socio demographic and psychological factors associated with human milk donation in vijayapura

Abstract

Introduction: INTRODUCTION Breast feeding is the best and quintessential method for infant nutrition, providing essential nutrients and immunological protection. All mothers should be encouraged to breast feed their infants, but is not always feasible for all mothers due to various barriers. If mother’s own milk is unavailable or insufficient, the next best option is to use donated human milk (DHM). Human milk banking (HMB) serves as a crucial intervention, ensuring that infants unable to receive direct breastfeeding can still benefit from the properties of human milk. This study aims to understand the factors influencing the willingness to donate breast milk among lactating mothers in Vijayapura, India. Objectives: To obtain information on knowledge and attitude in mothers of urban and rural groups and to determine awareness factors for milk bank donation and also to compare responses in different socio demographic factors. Methods: Type of study: Cross Sectional Study Study period: Period of 20 months, July 2022 to March 2024 Study population: All hospitalized lactating mothers of Shri BM Patil Medical College Hospital and research Centre, Vijayapura who met the inclusion Criteria. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted by department of pediatrics at Shri BM Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre. The study included hospital-based lactating mothers who were selected through convenience sampling. Data was collected via face-to-face interviews using a semi-standardized questionnaire designed to capture socio-demographic details, maternal factors, and knowledge and attitudes towards milk bank donation. The questionnaire included variables such as age, residence, education, marital status, income, obstetric history, mode of delivery, breastfeeding counseling, and current breastfeeding status. Statistical analysis Data of 420 lactating mothers were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS Version 20. Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, including logistic regression analysis identified socio-demographic and knowledge factors associated with the willingness to donate breast milk, calculating crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Among the 420 participants, 50% were from urban and 50% from rural areas. Significant predictors of willingness to donate breast milk included urban residence (AOR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.30–2.96), higher education levels (Bachelor’s degree: AOR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.11–8.42; Master’s degree: AOR: 6.13, 95% CI: 1.28–34.37), multigravida (AOR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.74–4.04), normal vaginal delivery (AOR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.15–2.88), previous knowledge about milk donation (AOR: 7.56, 95% CI: 3.73–15.8), and a history of NICU admissions for the present (AOR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.15–2.96) or previous baby (AOR: 8.46, 95% CI: 2.84–12.46).Conclusion: Urban residence, higher education levels, multi-parity, normal vaginal delivery, prior knowledge of milk donation, and history of NICU admissions are key predictors of willingness to donate breast milk. Targeted interventions are needed to bridge the gap in knowledge and promote milk donation, ultimately improving neonatal health outcomes in both urban and rural settings.