Factors Influencing Exclusive Breast Feeding Practices Among Nurses in Mulago National Referral Hospital Kampala district.

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is an important public health strategy for improving child and maternal morbidity and mortality, and helping to control health care costs. General Objective: The aim of study was to determine the factors influencing exclusive breast feeding practices among the nurses in Mulago National Referral Hospital. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was adopted; using quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to obtain data from 138 nurses and 4 key informants using a semi structured questionnaires, FGD-guide and interview guide. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) Software Version 18.0 and thematic content analysis for quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Results: Marital status (X2 = 2.85, OR, 1.06, p-value 0.009) and income (X2 = 0.56, OR1.74, p- value, 0.007) were socio-demographic factors associated with exclusive breast feeding among nurses, institutional factors were; maternity leave (X2 = 0.21, OR, 1.52, p-value 0.001), availability of breast feeding rooms (X2 = 1.09, OR, 1.95, p-value 0.02), work schedule (X2 = 0.59, OR, 2.76, p-value 0.006) and salary (X2 = 0.45, OR, 2.54, p-value 0.003) and medical factors that were; Breast problem (X2 = 0.80, OR, 1.50, p-value 0.004) and mode of delivery X2 = 1.95, OR, 1.10, p-value 0.001). Therefore, marital status and income influenced exclusive breast feeding among nurses, maternity leave, availability of breast feeding rooms, work schedule and salary were institutional factors influencing exclusive breast feeding and medical factors were breast problems and mode of delivery. Recommendations: Policy makers in the Ministry of Health-Uganda with partners should develop a policy targeting nurses and other working professionals to enhance exclusive breast feeding at the workplace.