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  • Title: Infant feeding practices among nursing personnel in Malaysia.
    Author: Sinniah D, Chon FM, Arokiasamy J.
    Journal: Acta Paediatr Scand; 1980 Jul; 69(4):525-9. PubMed ID: 7446101.
    Abstract:
    Concerned by the alarming decline in breast feeding in the urban and rural areas of Malaysia, we conducted a critical review of infant feeding practices among nursing personnel from representative centres using questionnaires. It was found that although 75% of mothers breast-fed their babies at birth only 19% did so at 2 months and 5% at 6 months respectively. Chinese mothers initiated breast feeding less frequently compared with Indian or Malay mothers. The prevalence of breast feeding was higher among lower category nurses, lower income groups and those from health centres. Decision for breast feeding was based in most instances on conviction derived from reading, lectures or advice from relatives. The vast majority of mothers listed "work' as the main reason for termination of breast feeding followed by "insufficient breast milk' and satisfactory past experience with bottle feeding. The ramifications of these findings and measures to improve the prevalence and duration of breast feeding are discussed. Nursing personnel come in close contact with mothers and thus play a significant role in influencing the community through health education, dietary advice, and campaigns to promote breastfeeding. To determine the infant feeding practices of nursing personnel in Malaysia, 433 questionnaires were sent to nursing personnel working in 5 selected centers in Malaysia. A total of 317 (72%) positive responses were received. Although 237 (74.8%) of the 317 mothers wholly or partially breastfed their babies at birth, the figure declined to 35.5% at 1 month, 5.4% at 6 months, and 3.5% at 9 to 12 months. Older mothers (41-50 years old) appear to breastfeed their babies longer than young mothers who generally stopped breastfeeding by 6 months. Chinese mothers breastfed their babies less frequently (53.5%) than did Indian (80%) and Malay mothers (90.79%), the differences being statistically significant at p 0.001. Midwives were found to breastfeed their babies more often compared to other higher-level nursing personnel; the difference was statistically significant at p .001. Frequency of breastfeeding was also found to be significantly higher in the lower income groups (p 0.01). A definite relationship was found between the center where the mother worked, and the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding was significantly highest among mothers who worked in health centers, followed by those who worked in general hospitals, and then those who worked at the University Hospital (p 0.001). 'Work' was the major reason cited for termination of breastfeeding, followed by 'insufficient breastmilk', and then 'satisfactory past experience with bottlefeeding'. Mothers should be strongly motivated to breastfeed their babies, and facilities should be made available for breastfeeding at work places. Extension of period of maternity leave should also be legislated.
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