Date of Award

1-10-2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MScN)

First Advisor

Dr. Naghma Rizvi

Second Advisor

Ms. Kiran Mubeen

Third Advisor

Ms. Marina Baig

Department

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is the healthiest source of nutrition for newborns and has shown to improve health outcomes in infants. In some circumstances accessibility to own mother’s milk is not possible so, The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that donated breast milk may be the next best thing for infants if mother’s milk is not available. The perceptions regarding the concept of Human Milk Banks (HMBs) can vary depending upon the personal, cultural, religious and social factors. Low-and middle income countries including Pakistan still have low breastfeeding rates and infant feeding remains a concern. The perceptions regarding the concept of human milk banks is still not holistically explored in the most of the low-and middle income countries including Pakistan.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions of mothers regarding infant feeding and Human Milk Banks (HMBs) in Pakistan.
Methodology:A qualitative descriptive exploratory study approach was used. Ten mothers were selected through purposive sampling technique and in depth interviews were under taken. Thematic analysis was done to extract themes. Findings: On analysis two major themes appeared. Theme one is “preference of mothers for infant feed”. Breastfeed was the first preferred infant feeding choice whereas formula feed was the first alternative infant feeding choice. These two preference were based on some personal or maternal v factors such benefits for child and mothers whereas social factors included family and health care professional support. Theme two is “factors affecting the establishment and use of human milk banks”. The perceived facilitators included personal factors such as health benefits for child and mothers where as social factors include social support from family and health care professional. The perceived barriers for HMBs included personal factors such as hygiene of donor milk, scarcity of milk for own child whereas social factors lack of family and heath care professional support, religious factor such as fear of marriage issues among siblings. The recommendations for establishment of HMBs included increasing awareness about HMBs through media and health care professionals, institutional audits, involvement of Islamic scholars and government role for accessibility of HMB and integrating HMBs in health care system.
Conclusion: This study aimed to explore “perceptions of mothers regarding infant feeding and human milk banks” concluded that there is still lack of optimal breastfeeding and mothers prefer formula feed as an alternative feed. That puts need to develop and implement new strategies to promote exclusive breastfeeding practices for better child health outcomes. This research sheds a ray of light on the acceptability of Human Milk Banks in future if proper plans are but the practices are still different.

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