Exploring the Effectiveness of Workplace Breastfeeding Support and Policies for Working Mothers in Two Institutions in the Greater Accra Region

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is a crucial child survival strategy that also benefits maternal health; however, breastfeeding rates decline globally after women resume work. National maternity leave period is just twelve weeks in Ghana, and this may have an impact on the practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among working mothers. Aim: The purpose of the study was to explore workplace breastfeeding support among working mothers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana to generate more understanding of the phenomenon for targeted actions towards optimal infant feeding. Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative study design was adopted with an interview guide with face to-face interviews. A convenient sampling technique was used in selecting twelve (12) mothers and (6) HR managers/supervisors to participate in the study. A word-for-word transcribing of responses was carried out with a thematic analysis. These themes and sub-themes have been exhaustively presented in the results and discussion sections of this paper. Results: All the participants were married and had a tertiary level of education. The results of the data showed that both study sites had a breastfeeding policy which all the participants had some knowledge about although only the HR personnel had accessed the full policy document. The available breastfeeding support to female employees was the statutory three-month maternity leave in addition to being offered an earlier closing time for another twelve weeks. Both groups of participants agreed on the need to increase available breastfeeding support and the working mothers reported physical challenges with working and breastfeeding such as fatigue and loss of concentration at work. There was also a good acceptance of breastfeeding infants which was supported by everyone in the organisation despite the limited allocated resources to this. Conclusion: The available breastfeeding support was failing in meeting women’s need. Therefore, the following recommendations are provided; increased sensitization of employees on labour laws affecting breastfeeding and providing education on available breastfeeding support by employers, policy to increase the statutory leave period to a six months period to accommodate the recommended period for exclusive breastfeeding, provision of facilities such as nurseries and spaces that provides privacy to express breast-milk at work with increased government spending to support organisation in these reforms, this will increase employers commitment to these changes.