Nneka Abba Mba Kalu
Country: Nigeria
Background: Medicine
ABSTRACT: SOCIAL BARRIERS TO BREASTFEEDING IN DUBLIN, IRELAND
Social Barriers to Breastfeeding in Dublin, Ireland
INTRODUCTION: The benefits of breastfeeding for mothers, children and the economy are numerous but to establish it successfully, women, the community and the nation are facing challenges. The goal of this piece of work is to increase our awareness on the social factors that contribute to the low rates of breastfeeding in Dublin, Ireland.
METHODS: A quantitative research strategy was selected as appropriate for the purpose of the research question of this study. A non- experimental, cross-sectional design was used and convenience sampling was used to choose the research participants all over Dublin. A self-administered close-ended questionnaire was used as a research tool to collect sample of one hundred and fifty antenatal and postnatal mothers. SPSS version 17 was used for the data analysis.
RESULTS: The percentage of women that chose to breastfeed their babies for less than 6 months were 46.7 percent. Only 17.3 percent chose to breastfeed their babies for up to 6 months while 24.0 percent chose to combine breastfeeding and formulae feeding and 12.0 percent chose to formulae feed alone. The 30-39 years age group had the highest rate of breastfeeding while the 18-29 years age group had more mixed feeders. The rate of formulae feeding was the same for both age groups at 50 percent. Work was a major social factor that influenced the participants’ choice of infant feeding method. Other social factors were breastfeeding education and family. Some psychosocial factors like being shy to breastfeed in public, the perception of being tied down with breastfeeding, the assumption that formulae is of same value as breast milk, breastfeeding being time consuming and not producing enough milk were also noted as barriers to breastfeeding in this study. All the participants had received breastfeeding education.
CONCLUSION: More focus should be placed on social aspects like work, education and family when reviewing and implementing policies regarding breastfeeding.
Keywords: Breastfeeding, social factor, women.