Human milk donation by mothers of children under three years of age in a needy community in northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence, associated factors and main reasons for donating human milk in mothers of children under three years of age in a poor community in northeastern Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study, approved by the Research Ethics Committee, CAAE 07246912.6.0000.5201, whose data collection took place through interviews with mothers of children under three years old registered in family health units in the period of July/October 2015. Analysis performed in Stata version 12.1, and associated factors through Pearson's Chi-Square Test, considering p < 0.5 for statistical purposes. Results: A total of 306 mothers of children under three years old, with fixed residence in two communities, participated in the study. The frequency of donation was 16%, highlighting the excess of milk and solidarity as the main reasons. The variables that showed an association with the practice of donating human milk were mothers who had completed high school (p=0.022) and prematurity (p=0.003). Conclusion: Mothers of premature children who had completed high school were more likely to donate human milk in the studied community.