Perceptions of Mothers and Community Members Regarding Breastfeeding in Public Spaces in Alexandra, Gauteng Province, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Mothers experience significant barriers to breastfeed in public spaces, which could result in a detrimental impact on the World Health Organization’s recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding. Failure to support and accept breastfeeding in public spaces could lead to mixed feeding or even abandonment of breastfeeding. Objective: The current study aimed to identify the knowledge of breastfeeding benefits and perceptions about it among mothers and community members in Alexandra, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Methods: A quantitative, non-experimental descriptive study was deployed using two structured questionnaires, which were distributed among mothers (n=96) and community members (n=96). All 192 questionnaires were completed and returned, although two questionnaires of mothers could not be used due to incompleteness. An excel spread sheet and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 was used to analyze the data. Results: The findings of the current study revealed a positive correlation between the knowledge level about breastfeeding benefits [infants (r=0.45, p≤0.000) and mothers (r=0.29, p≤0.000)] and perceptions in public spaces. Community members and mothers who were knowledgeable regarding breastfeeding benefits exhibited supportive attitudes towards breastfeeding in public spaces. Conclusion: Altogether, the majority of mothers (69%) were comfortable to breastfeed in public spaces, and community members (84%) were supportive. Limited knowledge of breastfeeding benefits was associated with unsupportive attitudes towards breastfeeding in public spaces. Health messages that target these factors are essential to encourage support and acceptance of breastfeeding in public spaces. This could be executed through public education via posters in public spaces and during community health outreaches.

Knowledge of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Nursing Mothers Attending under 5 Welfare Clinic in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Institution

“…The parity of majority of respondents ranged between 1 and 3 and corroborates with a South African and Ethiopian study [14], [15]. This also shows effective utilization of family planning available at these tertiary health institutions by the women.…”

Baseline status regarding compliance with neo-BFHI recommendations in South African neonatal wards: a cross-sectional survey

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) defined EBF as providing breast milk to an infant as their sole source of nutrition directly or indirectly from the breast while also allowing for the administration of prescribed medications, vitamins, and minerals [ 1 ]. It is evident that EBF holds health benefits for infants, mothers, and community members [ 2 ]. For instance, while breast milk provides ideal nutrients and protective antibodies for the infant, which consequently yields short-, medium-, and long-term health outcomes for babies, breastfeeding reduces the incidence of developing ovarian and breast cancer for mothers [ 3 , 4 ].…”

Unpacking the social constructions of motherhood: exploring mother presence among young African women.

“…The period of breastfeeding is considered crucial in an individual's life as it impacts growth and development. Breastfeeding is good for the infant's health, strengthens mother-to-child bond and benefits the mother's health (Hahn-Holbrook et al, 2013;Nyaloko et al, 2020). Although certain women prefer not to breastfeed due to a number of factors such as work, it is regarded as important and consists of positive outcomes for the mother and child.…”

“…Women's ability to breastfeed their children is impeccable and it has benefits for both the mother and child. Breastfeeding is vital for an infant's survival and development as it reduce chances of morbidity and mortality; maternal health benefits include prevention of pathological breast engorgement, decreased incidences of sore breasts and promotion of bonding between the infant and mother (Nyaloko et al, 2020;Vitalis et al, 2021). Certain women feel the pressure to breastfeed in order to demonstrate that they are responsible mothers while others lack financial resources for other feeding options (Pillay, 2021).…”

“…Breastfeeding is important for women as it may prevent certain morbidities associated with childbirth (Nyaloko et al, 2020;Vitalis et al, 2021). As much as breastfeeding is regarded as important for both the mother and child, certain women do not breastfeed due to a number of concerns.…”