Talking the Talk but not Walking the Walk: Donating to Human Milk Banks in South Africa

Abstract

Background

The human milk donor pool in South Africa is severely limited due to the low rate of continued breastfeeding and the HIV pandemic. It was crucial to determine why willing donors did not donate to determine if infrastructure could be implemented to prevent this loss.

Research aim

To determine why mothers who had committed to donating to a human milk bank in South Africa did not donate their milk.

Methods

Participants (N = 37) were interviewed using a telephone administered questionnaire. Variables measured were initiation and continuation of breastfeeding, reasons for discontinuation, age of introduction of solids and type, and reasons for not donating. Data were interpreted using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square test.

Results

Participants were mainly unemployed (70.2%, n = 26), single (73%, n = 27), black African (83.7%, n = 31), Christian (62.2%, n = 23) women with a M age of 25.7 (5.2) years, and a secondary or higher education level (81.1%, n = 30). Most lived in urban areas (70.2%, n = 26), with piped water (100%, n = 37), electricity (100%, n = 37), and refrigerators (100%, n = 37). Only 29.7% (n = 11) owned a vehicle. The major barrier was infrastructure related, as 62.2% (n = 23) were unaware of the process after discharge. This was followed by practical issues including no transport (21.6%, n = 8), no freezer for milk storage (18.9%, n = 7), or working (5.4%, n = 2).

Conclusion

The major barrier was ignorance of the post discharge process and lack of support from clinic staff. No transportation challenged the maintenance of the cold chain. A potential solution is mothers donating only at clinic immunization visits.