Determinants of breast milk donation and use of donor human milk among postpartum women in a City Hospital Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization advises that for newborns unable to obtain mother’s own milk, donor human milk is the  superior substitute considering the economic and health advantages associated with breast milk.
Broad Objective: To assess determinants of breast milk donation and utilization of donor human milk in newborn feeding.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Consecutive sampling technique was used to recruit a sample of 370 mothers. Descriptive  statistics were done for all variables. Further inferential statistics including Chi-Square test and multivariate logistics regression were  computed with significance level set at α=0.05.
Results: Only 27% of the participants had previously heard of human milk banking. The willingness to donate breast milk and willingness  to use donor human milk in infant feeding was 78.1% and 70.8% respectively. Respondents' age was significantly associated with  willingness to donate breast milk. Religion and prior knowledge of human milk banking were significant predictors of willingness to use  donor human milk.
Conclusion: Although mothers surveyed were highly likely to accept the practice of human milk banking, awareness, knowledge, and  experience with this topic were limited. The findings of this study demonstrate the need for public enlightenment on human milk banking  and its benefits.