Dataset Information

Breastfeeding and caring for children: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of mothers with physical impairments in Ghana.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Breastfeeding and caring for children demand time, energy and effort. Mothers with physical impairments in Ghana require special needs to be able to achieve optimal motherhood as society demands. Globally, literature on breastfeeding and caring for children among mothers with physical disabilities is limited. Similarly, there is dearth of literature on the experiences of mothers with physical impairments in Ghana. Therefore, this study sought to add to literature by exploring the experiences of mothers with physical impairments with regards to breastfeeding and how they care for their children.

Methods

Qualitative descriptive exploratory design was used. Twelve mothers with physical impairments who had been purposively sampled gave informed consent before data was collected through in-depth one-on-one interviews. Data was recorded, transcribed and analyzed inductively using the content analysis technique.

Results

Mothers with physical impairments perceived breastfeeding as difficult and expensive due to issues relating to disruption of sleep, dysfunctional limbs and the need for breastfeeding mothers to eat nutritionally balanced meals. Participants felt prejudged and discriminated at different points in their daily encounters.

Conclusion

Mothers with physical impairments have challenges. Therefore, attitudinal change should be advocated in the Ghanaian society with respect to issues concerning people living with disabilities.

SUBMITTER: Acheampong AK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7260762 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Breastfeeding and caring for children: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of mothers with physical impairments in Ghana.

Acheampong Angela Kwartemaa AK Aziato Lydia L Marfo Margaret M Amevor Philomena P

BMC pregnancy and childbirth 20200529 1

<h4>Background</h4>Breastfeeding and caring for children demand time, energy and effort. Mothers with physical impairments in Ghana require special needs to be able to achieve optimal motherhood as society demands. Globally, literature on breastfeeding and caring for children among mothers with physical disabilities is limited. Similarly, there is dearth of literature on the experiences of mothers with physical impairments in Ghana. Therefore, this study sought to add to literature by exploring ...[more]

PMID: 32471372

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Project description:BackgroundThe global issue of low breastfeeding rates has been widely reported. Quantitative studies have shown the positive effects of peer support on breastfeeding. However, the experiences of mothers who receive breastfeeding peer support have been found to vary. To date, no systematic qualitative summary has been conducted to document the impact of peer support, nor to provide advice for its implementation from the perspective of breastfeeding mothers. This review aims to systematically synthesize qualitative findings on mothers' experiences of breastfeeding peer support to provide evidence for optimizing peer support services and ultimately enhancing their role in promoting breastfeeding.MethodsPubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Ovid, Web of Science, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Datebase, VIP Database and Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) were searched from the inception of each database until January 2023, to collect qualitative studies and mixed methods studies that included qualitative findings on mothers' experiences with breastfeeding peer support. The Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-QARI) was used to extract data and evaluate the quality of the included articles. The meta-integration method was used to explain and integrate the research findings. The review process was carried out by two authors independently, and the disagreements were resolved through consensus.ResultsA total of 15 articles were included in the study, consisting of 13 qualitative studies and 2 mixed methods studies. The analysis identified four integrated themes: (1) obtaining psycho-emotional support; (2) acquiring knowledge and skills; (3) expectations for breastfeeding peer support; and (4) feeding perceptions and behavior change. It should be noted that the articles reviewed are in English and mostly originate from developed countries or regions. Therefore, the generalizability of the integrated findings to underdeveloped regions or non-English speaking countries may be limited.ConclusionMothers perceived that peer support had a positive impact on breastfeeding. To improve the effectiveness of peer support in promoting breastfeeding, it is important to consider the individual needs of each mother. It is recommended that peer support services should be standardized in the future, including the accreditation, training, supervision, and management of peer supporters.

Project description:BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance is a serious threat to the global achievements in child health thus far. Previous studies have found high use of antibiotics in children in Northern Tanzania, but the experiences of the primary care-givers, who play a key role in accessing and administering antibiotics for the sick child, have remained largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand mothers' conceptions of antibiotic use in their children, which is of importance when forming strategies to improve antibiotic use in the community.MethodA qualitative study including eight focus group discussions with mothers of under-five children in Moshi urban and rural districts, Northern Tanzania, was performed during 2019. The discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English and analysed according to the phenomenographic approach.FindingsThree conceptual themes emerged during analysis; (1) conceptions of disease and antibiotics, (2) accessing treatment and (3) administering antibiotics. Antibiotics were often perceived as a universal treatment for common symptoms or diseases in children with few side-effects. Although mothers preferred to attend a healthcare facility, unforeseen costs, long waits and lack of financial support from their husbands, posed barriers for healthcare seeking. However, pharmacies were perceived as a cheap and convenient option to access previously used or prescribed antibiotics. Some mothers sought advice from a trusted neighbour regarding when to seek healthcare, thus resembling the function of the community health worker.ConclusionsTo improve antibiotic use in children under 5 years of age in Northern Tanzania, the precarious situation that women often find themselves in as they access treatment for their sick children needs to be taken into consideration. It is necessary to improve structures, including the healthcare system, socioeconomic inequalities and promoting gender equality both in the household and in the public arena to reduce misuse of antibiotics. Meanwhile, equipping community health workers to support Tanzanian women in appropriate healthcare seeking for their children, may be a feasible target for intervention.

Project description:OBJECTIVES:To explore women's experiences of breastfeeding beyond infancy (>1?year). Understanding these experiences, including the motivators, enablers and barriers faced, may help inform future strategies to support and facilitate mothers to breastfeed for an optimal duration. DESIGN:An exploratory qualitative study using an interpretive approach. Nineteen semistructured interviews were conducted (in person, via phone or Skype), transcribed and thematically analysed using the framework method. SETTING:Participants drawn from across the UK through online breastfeeding support groups. PARTICIPANTS:Maximum variation sample of women currently breastfeeding a child older than 1?year, or who had done so in the previous 5?years. Participants were included if over 18, able to speak English at conversational level and resident in the UK. RESULTS:The findings offer insights into the challenges faced by women breastfeeding older children, including perceived social and cultural barriers. Three core themes were interpreted: (1) parenting philosophy; (2) breastfeeding beliefs; (3) transition from babyhood to toddlerhood. Women had not intended to breastfeed beyond infancy prior to delivery, but developed a 'child-led' approach to parenting and internalised strong beliefs that breastfeeding is the biological norm. Women perceived a negative shift in approval for continued breastfeeding as their child transitioned from 'baby' to 'toddler'. This compelled woman to conceal breastfeeding and fostered a reluctance to seek advice from healthcare professionals. Mothers reported feeling pressured to breastfeed when their babies were young, but discouraged as children grew. They identified best with the term 'natural-term breastfeeding'. CONCLUSIONS:This study suggests that providing antenatal education regarding biological weaning ages and promotion of guidelines for optimum breastfeeding duration may encourage more women to breastfeed for longer. Promoting the concept of natural-term breastfeeding to mothers, and healthcare professionals, employers and the public is necessary to normalise and encourage acceptance of breastfeeding beyond infancy.

Project description:Background Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF), for the first 6 months of life, is globally accepted as the preferred method for infant feeding. In Ghana, an estimated 84% of children <?2?months old are exclusively breastfed. But by age 4 to 5?months, only 49% continue to receive EBF. This situation continues to deteriorate. Thus, the need to explore perceptions, practices as well as factors that influence EBF in Ghana. Methods Using a qualitative design, four focus group discussions were conducted among first-time mothers and eight in-depth interviews with health workers and traditional birth attendants. The study was conducted in four communities in the Kassena-Nankana municipality of Ghana. Discussions and interviews were recorded and later transcribed verbatim to English language. The transcribed data was then coded with the aid of analysis computer software (Nvivo version 10.0) and later analyzed for the generation of themes. Results Exclusive breastfeeding is practiced among first-time mothers due to its perceived benefits; which include nutritional advantage, ability to enhance growth whilst boosting immunity and its economic value. However misconceptions as well as, certain cultural practices (e.g. giving herbal concoctions, breastmilk purification rites), and relational influences, may threaten a mother’s intention to exclusively breastfeed. Relational influences are mainly from mother in-laws, traditional birth attendants, grandmothers, herbalists and other older adults in the community. Conclusions Although first time mothers attempt EBF, external influences make it practically challenging. The availability and utilization of information on EBF was found to positively influence perceptions towards EBF, leading to change in attitude towards the act. Thus, the practice of community-based health services may be strengthened to provide support for first-time mothers as well as continuous education to the mother in laws, female elders and community leaders who influence decision making on breastfeeding of infants.

Dataset Information

Breastfeeding and caring for children: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of mothers with physical impairments in Ghana.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Breastfeeding and caring for children: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of mothers with physical impairments in Ghana.

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