Exclusive breastfeeding in health personnel; incidence and barriers

Objective: Exclusive breastfeeding 6 months (EBF) in health care personnel are challenges due to work schedule, high workload or separation issues. This study was aimed to evaluate the incidence and factors related to EBF in our hospital personnel. Material: and Methods This was a cross-sectional study. Female employees who took maternity leave within 2 years were approached. A set of questions regarding baseline characteristics, breastfeeding attitude, perception of breastfeeding obstacles, breastfeeding behavior and support from the health care system. Factors associated with EBF were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results: There were 110 mothers who participated in the study. Mean maternal age was 32.5 ± 4.21 years, 66.36% came from the nursing department, infant’s age were 6–24 months, 46.4% of mothers had previous breastfeeding experience. Our EBF rate was 63.6%. From univariable analysis, previous breastfeeding experience, work schedule, family type, support from colleagues and workplace was not significantly associated with EBF. But breastfeeding attitude (OR = 1.12, 95%CI 1.08–1.38), perception of breastfeeding obstacle (OR = 1.45, 95%CI 1.26–1.66), breastfeeding behavior (OR = 1.17, 95%CI 1.08–1.26), and support form health system (OR = 1.09, 95%CI 1.01–1.19) were significantly associated with EBF ( p-value  < 0.05). From multiple logistic regression model, perception of breastfeeding obstacles (aOR 1.55, 95%CI 1.27–1.90), breastfeeding behavior (aOR 1.12, 95%CI 1.01–1.24) and support form health care system (aOR 0.84, 95%CI 0.72–0.97) remains the significant factors associated with successful EBF ( p-value  < 0.05). Conclusion: Successful EBF were prevalent in mothers who had good attitudes to breastfeeding, perceived low levels of obstacles, and who had support from the health care system.