Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices on Human Milk Banking among Healthcare Professionals in a Maternal and Neonatal Area of a Tertiary Hospital in National Capital Region

Abstract

Premature or sick babies fed with formula milk are at high risk of developing complications such as intestinal infections which can be prevented if they receive human breast milk (Mothers’ Milk Bank, 2020). Since human breastmilk provides the optimal nutrition for babies and reduces risk of intestinal infections, the human milk bank is an important medium in providing a reliable and consistent supply of human breastmilk to this vulnerable population.

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a crucial role in the process of the milk bank such as human milk donation, human milk banking, and the use of donor milk. Mothers are more likely to participate if their HCPs are knowledgeable and encouraging.

Since there are few studies in the perception of HCPs in human milk banking, the study was done to explore the knowledge and attitude of HCPs towards human milk banking. The findings provide a groundwork study in managing HCPs for planning and establishing a human milk bank. It was done in a Level III hospital that specializes in Maternal and Child Health with a human milk bank. The results show that HCPs are knowledgeable and have a positive attitude towards human milk banking. It also shows that there is no relationship between the knowledge and attitude, therefore, training should be done in improving both the areas. The significantly higher knowledge of physicians is a strength in their hospital. In practice, HCPs have more knowledge on the aspect of human milk banking in which they are more focused in practicing. Education and training of the HCPs with an encouraging attitude, and the awareness and education of the mothers and the community are important to establish the human milk bank and continue its operations. Insufficient resources and support are challenges identified as barriers in human milk banking.