SURVEY ON ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES RELATED TO BREASTFEEDING AT THE MOHAMMED VI UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CENTER OF OUJDA: EXPERIENCE FROM AN EMERGING COUNTRY

Context: Breastfeeding, acknowledged globally for its numerous health benefits, faces varied challenges among working mothers. Despite its cultural acceptance in Morocco, recent data reveals concerning trends. This study investigates breastfeeding practices among employees, including healthcare professionals, at Mohammed VI University Hospital Center in Oujda, the capital of the oriental region of Morocco.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study explores breastfeeding practices among employees of Mohammed VI University Hospital Center in Oujda, Morocco, Data from 264 participants were collected using a validated questionnaire covering sociodemographic details, pregnancy and childbirth information, breastfeeding practices, and spousal support. The analysis involved descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate analysis.

Results: The study included 264 participants, with a majority falling within the age range of 20 to 40 years. The majority of participants (69.7%) did not receive continuing education on breastfeeding. For the timing of the first feed, 48.5% initiated breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, while 27.3% did so after six hours.Regarding the mode of breastfeeding, 48.5% practiced exclusive breastfeeding, 39.4% practiced mixed feeding, and 12.1% practiced exclusive formula feeding.Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between professional status and mode of breastfeeding (χ² = 7.142, df = 8, p = 0.0075). The mean duration of breastfeeding was found to be 10.8 months.The main challenges encountered during breastfeeding included unfavorable work conditions (60.6%), time constraints (60.6%), lack of knowledge (34.1%), lack of family support (15.2%), maternal health issues (15.2%), and lactation problems (30.3%).Participants provided recommendations to improve breastfeeding conditions, including extending maternity leave, improving work schedules, establishing dedicated breastfeeding spaces, providing breastfeeding training, setting up nurseries within the hospital, avoiding night shifts during breastfeeding, and preparing mothers before childbirth.

Conclusion: This study underscores the imperative for robust support to enhance breastfeeding rates and working conditions for mothers in the workplace, including those at university hospitals.

研究背景：母乳喂养（Breastfeeding）因其诸多健康益处而获得全球公认，但在职母亲在践行时仍面临诸多差异化挑战。尽管母乳喂养在摩洛哥具有文化认可度，但近期数据却显示出令人担忧的发展趋势。本研究针对摩洛哥东部大区首府乌季达的穆罕默德六世大学医院中心的雇员（含医疗保健从业者）的母乳喂养行为展开调查。

研究方法：本横断面研究（cross-sectional study）针对摩洛哥乌季达的穆罕默德六世大学医院中心雇员的母乳喂养行为进行调研。研究通过经过验证的问卷收集了264名参与者的数据，问卷内容涵盖社会人口学特征、妊娠与分娩信息、母乳喂养行为以及配偶支持情况。数据分析采用描述性统计、卡方检验以及多变量分析方法。

研究结果：本研究共纳入264名参与者，其中大多数年龄介于20至40岁之间。多数参与者（69.7%）未接受过母乳喂养相关继续教育。关于首次哺乳时机，48.5%的参与者在分娩后1小时内开始母乳喂养，另有27.3%在分娩6小时后才开始。在母乳喂养方式方面，48.5%的参与者采用纯母乳喂养，39.4%采用混合喂养，12.1%采用纯配方奶喂养。统计分析显示，职业身份与母乳喂养方式之间存在显著关联（χ²=7.142，自由度df=8，p=0.0075）。母乳喂养的平均时长为10.8个月。母乳喂养期间遇到的主要挑战包括：工作环境不佳（60.6%）、时间受限（60.6%）、知识储备不足（34.1%）、家庭支持缺失（15.2%）、产妇健康问题（15.2%）以及泌乳相关问题（30.3%）。参与者们提出了多项改善母乳喂养环境的建议，包括延长产假、优化工作排班、设置专用母乳喂养空间、提供母乳喂养培训、在医院内设立托儿所、母乳喂养期间避免安排夜班以及在分娩前为产妇做好相关准备。

研究结论：本研究强调，必须为包括大学医院在内的职场母亲提供强有力的支持，以提升母乳喂养率并改善其工作环境。