Female Employees’ Perception of Breastfeeding Support in the Workplace, Public Universities in Spain: A Multicentric Comparative Study

Águeda Cervera-Gasch, Desirée Mena-Tudela, Fatima Leon-Larios, Neus Felip-Galvan, Soukaina Rochdi-Lahniche, Laura Andreu-Pejó and Víctor Manuel González-Chordá
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Águeda Cervera-Gasch: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avda. Sos I Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellón, Spain
Desirée Mena-Tudela: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avda. Sos I Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellón, Spain
Fatima Leon-Larios: Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
Neus Felip-Galvan: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avda. Sos I Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellón, Spain
Soukaina Rochdi-Lahniche: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avda. Sos I Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellón, Spain
Laura Andreu-Pejó: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avda. Sos I Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellón, Spain
Víctor Manuel González-Chordá: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avda. Sos I Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellón, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-14

Abstract: Background: Despite scientific recommendations for exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age and complementary breastfeeding to 2 years of age, breastfeeding abandonment rates increase with time, and one of the main reasons is that women go back to work. Aim: To analyze the perception of support of breastfeeding workers to continue breastfeeding at two Spanish universities, and associated factors. Methods: A multicenter retrospective cross-sectional comparative study conducted in a population of 777 female workers at the Universidad de Sevilla (US) and the Universitat Jaume I (UJI) in Spain using an online questionnaire. Results: The response rate was 38.74% ( n = 301). Of all the participants, 57.8% continued breastfeeding after returning to work. The factors associated with continuing breastfeeding for longer were the university having a breastfeeding support policy and special accommodation ( p < 0.001); participating in breastfeeding support groups ( p < 0.001); intending to continue breastfeeding after returning to work ( p < 0.001); knowing the occupational legislation in force ( p = 0.009); having a female supervisor ( p = 0.04). Conclusion: Breastfeeding support initiatives and having special accommodation to pump and preserve breast milk after returning to work are associated with a longer duration of female workers’ breastfeeding.

Keywords: breastfeeding; workplace; female employment; lactation; breastfeeding support; breastfeeding barrier (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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