Attitudes and experiences of employed women when combining exclusive breastfeeding and work : a qualitative study among office workers in Northern Ethiopia
- Gebrekidan, Kahsu, Plummer, Virginia, Fooladi, Ensieh, Hall, Helen
- Authors: Gebrekidan, Kahsu , Plummer, Virginia , Fooladi, Ensieh , Hall, Helen
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Maternal and Child Nutrition Vol. 17, no. 4 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Evidence from different countries shows that the level of support given to mothers who return to paid employment can significantly determine the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). However, little is known about how returning to work impacts Ethiopian women's EBF practice. The aim of this study was to explore women's attitudes and experiences of EBF when they returned to work. Mothers who had an infant of less than 12 months, working in government institutions in Tigray region, Ethiopia, were invited to participate in this study. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were used to explore mothers' perspectives of the factors that influenced EBF when they returned to work. The interview data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Twenty mothers were interviewed from 10 organizations. Three themes were identified from their accounts: mother's knowledge, attitudes and practice towards breastfeeding; workplace context and employment conditions; and support received at home. Most participants were familiar with the benefits of EBF. Most participants reported that their colleagues had more positive attitudes towards breastfeeding than their managers. In almost all the workplaces, there was no specific designated breastfeeding space. Participants reported that close family members including husbands and mothers were supportive. Mothers' knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding, workplace and employment conditions and support received at home were found to be the main factors determining the duration of EBF among employed women. Participants reported that the overall support given to breastfeeding women from their employers was insufficient to promote EBF. © 2021 The Authors. Maternal & Child Nutrition published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Authors: Gebrekidan, Kahsu , Plummer, Virginia , Fooladi, Ensieh , Hall, Helen
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Maternal and Child Nutrition Vol. 17, no. 4 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Evidence from different countries shows that the level of support given to mothers who return to paid employment can significantly determine the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). However, little is known about how returning to work impacts Ethiopian women's EBF practice. The aim of this study was to explore women's attitudes and experiences of EBF when they returned to work. Mothers who had an infant of less than 12 months, working in government institutions in Tigray region, Ethiopia, were invited to participate in this study. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were used to explore mothers' perspectives of the factors that influenced EBF when they returned to work. The interview data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Twenty mothers were interviewed from 10 organizations. Three themes were identified from their accounts: mother's knowledge, attitudes and practice towards breastfeeding; workplace context and employment conditions; and support received at home. Most participants were familiar with the benefits of EBF. Most participants reported that their colleagues had more positive attitudes towards breastfeeding than their managers. In almost all the workplaces, there was no specific designated breastfeeding space. Participants reported that close family members including husbands and mothers were supportive. Mothers' knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding, workplace and employment conditions and support received at home were found to be the main factors determining the duration of EBF among employed women. Participants reported that the overall support given to breastfeeding women from their employers was insufficient to promote EBF. © 2021 The Authors. Maternal & Child Nutrition published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Work-related factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding among employed women in ethiopia : managers’ perspective using a qualitative approach
- Gebrekidan, Kahsu, Plummer, Virginia, Fooladi, Ensieh, Hall, Helen
- Authors: Gebrekidan, Kahsu , Plummer, Virginia , Fooladi, Ensieh , Hall, Helen
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Women's Health Vol. 12, no. (2020), p. 473-480
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Only 21% of employed mothers in Ethiopia breastfeed exclusively until six months. Evidence from other countries has shown that support from managers encourages mothers to continue breastfeeding. Whereas lack of physical resources, time for breastfeed-ing and supportive policies adversely impact the continuation of breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to explore the perspective of managers regarding breastfeeding in the Ethiopian context. Methods: Managers of district level, government institutions were interviewed in the Tigray region of North Ethiopia. Semi-structured, face to face interviews were used to explore managers’ perspectives and views about breastfeeding, the level of support they provide to breastfeeding mothers, and the challenges they faced. The data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results: Fifteen managers were interviewed from 12 organizations. The data were categor-ized into three themes. The first theme related to the attitudes and preference of managers and revealed that overall participants had positive views towards breastfeeding. The second theme highlighted managers’ concern about the impact of breastfeeding on staffing and workplace productivity. The third theme focused on managers’ assertions that, despite improvements, there were still inadequate policies and government strategies to support employed breastfeeding women in North Ethiopia. Conclusion: It is promising that managers in North Ethiopia expressed a positive attitude towards supporting breastfeeding mothers. Managers raised concern about the impact of breastfeeding on work performance, as well as the lack of physical facilities and government resources that affects the level of support they can provide. © 2020 Gebrekidan et al.
- Authors: Gebrekidan, Kahsu , Plummer, Virginia , Fooladi, Ensieh , Hall, Helen
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Women's Health Vol. 12, no. (2020), p. 473-480
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Only 21% of employed mothers in Ethiopia breastfeed exclusively until six months. Evidence from other countries has shown that support from managers encourages mothers to continue breastfeeding. Whereas lack of physical resources, time for breastfeed-ing and supportive policies adversely impact the continuation of breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to explore the perspective of managers regarding breastfeeding in the Ethiopian context. Methods: Managers of district level, government institutions were interviewed in the Tigray region of North Ethiopia. Semi-structured, face to face interviews were used to explore managers’ perspectives and views about breastfeeding, the level of support they provide to breastfeeding mothers, and the challenges they faced. The data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results: Fifteen managers were interviewed from 12 organizations. The data were categor-ized into three themes. The first theme related to the attitudes and preference of managers and revealed that overall participants had positive views towards breastfeeding. The second theme highlighted managers’ concern about the impact of breastfeeding on staffing and workplace productivity. The third theme focused on managers’ assertions that, despite improvements, there were still inadequate policies and government strategies to support employed breastfeeding women in North Ethiopia. Conclusion: It is promising that managers in North Ethiopia expressed a positive attitude towards supporting breastfeeding mothers. Managers raised concern about the impact of breastfeeding on work performance, as well as the lack of physical facilities and government resources that affects the level of support they can provide. © 2020 Gebrekidan et al.
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