A study to determine factors affecting productivity among breast feeding working mothers in the child bearing age, with reference to the formal sector in lusaka.

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to determine factors affecting productivity among breast feeding working mothers in the child bearing age (15-45 years) in Lusaka Urban District with reference to the formal sector. The study was conducted in five (5) organisations in Lusaka namely: University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Zambia State Insurance Corporation (ZSIC), Bella Industry, Agriflora and Care International Organisation. These organisations are involved in various activities such as provision of health care, manufacturing and agriculture. A sample of 50 mothers in the child bearing age with infants and young children of 1 to 24 months old was selected from the project sites. A multistage sampling method was used to pick the organisations and mothers. Literature review was based on the studies done in other countries all over the world, to try and establish factors affecting productivity of the breast feeding working mothers. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and was checked for completeness and accuracy. The data collected was manually analysed on the data master sheet and a scientific calculator was used to get percentages to the nearest one decimal place. The study findings revealed that 86% of the respondents had heard about exclusive breast feeding, the main source of information being the health care provider. It was also observed that 70% of the respondents had inadequate knowledge on the benefits of exclusive breast feeding and that 34% of the respondents did not exclusively breast feed their babies from birth. The study further revealed that 74% of the respondents did not continue with exclusive breast-feeding after returning to work and 89% of these indicated that their workplace had no baby friendly work place. Furthermore, 72% of the respondents had babies who fell ill after they returned to work and 26% of them did not exclusively breast feed their babies from birth and 18% exclusively breast fed their babies for 1-2 months. These babies suffered from various diseases which included diarrhoea, malaria, respiratory infections, earache and fever.