ABSTRACT

CANDANO, Kristine C., COMPETENTE, Alona C., QUINTANO, Diana Lyn LI. “BREASTFEEDING COMPLIANCE OF LACTATING MOTHERS IN
BARANGAY 3, EM’S BARRIO, LEGAZPI CITY” (An undergraduate thesis, Aquinas University, College of Nursing and Health Sciences S.Y. 2011-2012)

This study attempted to determine the breastfeeding compliance of lactating mothers and the extent of the performance of the Barangay health workers in Barangay 3 EM’s barrio Legazpi City. This was conducted to assess the level of compliance of lactating mothers and extent of the performance of the Barangay health workers so that data and information gathered would serve as a guide for the improvement and intensification of the Breastfeeding program for better health outcomes.

This study included the lactating mothers and Barangay health workers who were legal residents without limitation in terms of age. Transient lactating mothers and Barangay health workers were not included in the official list of the respondents. There were 27 respondents, 23 of them were lactating mothers and four were BHW’s. All of them were successfully interviewed.

The research adopted the descriptive method of analysis, utilizing the questionnaire as the main instrument to assess level of compliance with breastfeeding of the respondents. The interpretation was done through the use of statistical tools such as simple frequency count, percentage and arithmetic mean. The specific research problems addressed by this study were l .A) What is the demographic profile of the lactating mothers in terms of: a) Age, b) Educational attainment, c) Occupation, d) Family Monthly Income? l.b) What is the demographic profile of the barangay health workers in terms of: a) Age, b) Educational attainment, c) Family Monthly Income, d) Years in Service, e) Trainings Attended? 2) Are the Lactating mothers knowledgeable in terms of: a) Breastfeeding, b) Stoppage of Breastfeeding, c) Bottle feeding (Milk Formula), d) Mixed Feeding? 3) What is the level of performance of the Barangay Health Workers in the Promotion of Breastfeeding? 4) What factors affect the breastfeeding compliance as perceived by the lactating mothers
and the barangay health workers? 5) What measures may be proposed to effectively promote breastfeeding compliance among lactating mothers?


Based on the collected data, the following were the important findings of the study on the demographic profile of the respondents, on the lactating mothers it was revealed that most of the lactating mothers of Barangay 3 EM’s Barrio were in their early adulthood; most were high school graduate and were housewives whose monthly income was below the national poverty line as per NEDA’s standards. Data on the Barangay Health Workers showed that half of them were 37-38 years old, college graduates whose monthly family income was also below the national threshold of poverty. Only two of them had attended at least one training on breastfeeding. In terms of level of knowledge of lactating mothers along with breastfeeding, it showed that all of them were knowledgeable about the fact that breastfeeding has the ability to form a bond between mother and the baby; that breastfeeding is a natural protection for the baby from illnesses. But less than half of the respondents (47%) were not knowledgeable that mothers who undergo caesarean section can breastfeed
comfortably by using different positions and that breastfeeding would not ruin the shape of their breast. A big number of the mother knew that teething is a sign of the stoppage of breastfeeding; this indicator had the highest responses. But it was highly noticeable that almost half of the indicators had below 50% compliance. Only eight respondents were not knowledgeable about stopping breastfeeding when it was already tiring and painful for the mother. The knowledge level of lactating mothers on bottle feeding revealed that the indicator with the highest responses was “Do you know that bottle feeding can be more expensive then breastfeeding?”. The indicator which had the lowest frequency was “Do you know that the bottle fed babies have an increased risk of obesity at least six years of age?”. The knowledge level of lactating mothers on mixed feeding showed that the indicator “Do you know that the difference between nipples can confuse the baby, causing feeding problems, and interfering with the establishment of breastfeeding?” got the highest percentage of responses. On the level of performance of the Barangay Health Workers on breastfeeding promotion the data showed that all indicators were answered by “sometimes” and “always”. The indicator “Encourages and promotes breastfeeding” had the highest mean while the indicator “Explains the proper use of infant, whether manufactures industrially or home-prepared” had the lowest mean. The leading factor that affected the breastfeeding compliance is the indicator that says mother is too busy with household chores. The indicator “lack of financial support from the government” had the least
responses.

Based on findings, conclusions and recommendation were elicited. Data on lactating mothers showed that most were young adults who had not finished a higher education, were housewives and were low-income earners. Taking these facts into consideration, it showed the need to educate the lactating mother about benefits, advantage and disadvantage of breast milk for them to be fully aware of what breastfeeding can offer. For the Barangay Health Workers, most of them had served for three years already but had only two trainings attended during that duration. This result needs to be addressed in order to produce a competent midwife for the intensification of the breastfeeding campaign . The knowledge level of breastfeeding mother showed that most of the lactating mothers were not aware that caesarean mothers can breastfeed comfortably by using different positions and that breastfeeding will not ruin the shape of their breast The also believed that tiredness and pain felt during breastfeeding can be a reason for stopping breastfeeding. In this result, the future research must be conducted focusing on the unknown and misconception of breastfeeding for the identification of the things that needs clarification and education.

Furthermore, results showed that most lactating mothers were not aware that bottle fed babies has the increased risk for obesity at least six years old. This also indicates a need for intensive education to the lactating mothers on breastfeeding facts. For the Brangay Health Workers, result showed that in spite of them doing their jobs, still they were less effective because some tasks were performed only from time to time.

In this view, there is a need for more strict supervision on the BHW’s from people concerned. This study also concluded that BHW’s were somehow ineffective because of the fact that the main factor that affect breastfeeding as perceived by most lactating mothers was they claim to be busy to their household chores and make it impossible to breastfeed the baby. The fact that most respondents were housewives, the BHW’s are supposed to provide individual education and counseling about all the facts of breastfeeding.

They should also include time management lectures for them to address this problem. With these conclusions, recommendations were provided. Considering the results gathered regarding the knowledge of lactating mothers, it is recommended that there is a need to correct misconceptions and provide adequate knowledge on breastfeeding to the respondents. Health authorities should not limit ways of providing knowledge via health education and use the mass media to encourage women to recognize breastfeeding as the best choice of milk. On the ineffectiveness of the BHW’s health authorities should conduct a regular seminars and training's for them to improve their competencies. Breastfeeding is an instinct but its essence is lost when it is not
clearly understood and support is not given. Health workers should continue to advocate breastfeeding and ensure an emotional support so that mothers could feel supported and would be confident in their desire for breastfeeding.