Awareness and acceptability of human breast milk donation and its associated factors among mothers in Kampala District.

Abstract

Introduction: Breast milk provides the optimal nutrition for growing infants due to its richness in nutrients. However, only 66% of children less than six months receive breast milk which is below the 70% WHO target. Additionally, infant mortality rate is estimated at 33.8 per 1000 live births. Despite research indicating that breast milk can significantly reduce infant morbidity and mortality, it has not been practiced due to various challenges like preterm birth. Its due to this that donation of breast milk was found helpful to close the gap of breast milk access. However, there is a knowledge gap on the awareness and acceptability of breast milk donation and its associated factors among mothers in Kampala District. Objectives: To determine awareness and acceptability of human breast milk donation and its associated factors among mothers in Kampala District. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 230 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) who had ever given birth residing in the Makindye Division and 7 in depth interview was conducted among mothers who had ever donated breast milk at Nsambya Hospital. Study participants were selected through simple random sampling. The data was analysed using STATA 14.0 version. Results: Out of the 230-participant interviewed 64% were aware of HBMD and 24% accepted to donate breast milk. The factors that were associated with HBMD were religion and attitude. Conclusion and recommendation: The level of awareness was moderately high, and acceptability of HBMD was very low among mother in Kampala. Religion and attitude were the only factors associated with HBMD. Therefore, Ministry of health should focus on designing programs to create awareness and address of religion and attitude among mothers and the community at large.