Towards A Comprehensive Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Environment: Insight From Selected Health Facilities In The Central Region of Ghana

Abstract Background In the last three decades, Ghana has championed the objectives of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative to provide pregnant women and nursing mothers with skills and support necessary for optimal breastfeeding. Yet, little is known about practical interventions to promote breastfeeding friendly work environment in healthcare facilities. This study explores the extent to which healthcare facilities in Effutu Municipality provide breastfeeding friendly workplace environment to breastfeeding frontline health workers. Methods A descriptive mixed-method approach was employed to collect data from healthcare facility representative and breastfeeding frontline health workers. Self-administered questionnaire with structured responses and interview guide were used to collect data. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview responses. Survey responses were processed with SPSS version 23.0 and presented using frequencies and percentages.Results Three main themes, namely, Standpoints on workplace breastfeeding support; Breastfeeding support, suggested future directions and six sub-themes, including backings for workplace breastfeeding support; perceived benefits of breastfeeding support; factors of poor breastfeeding workplace support; maternity protection benefits; workplace support gaps, and awareness creation on benefits were identified to explain the extent to which health facilities provide breastfeeding friendly workplace environment. Breastfeeding frontline health workers said their hospitals have no breastfeeding policy (96%), no breastfeeding facility (96%), do not go to work with baby (96%), but went on 12 weeks maternity leave (96%) and work half-day (70%) on return to work.ConclusionHealth facilities in the study do not provide breastfeeding friendly work environment except the privileges provided by the Labor Act. Continuous advocacy on breastfeeding workplace support and stakeholder engagement to build consensus on the mix of strategies suitable to cushion breastfeeding frontline health workers against work-breastfeeding stress and minimize its negative impact on optimal breastfeeding among frontline health workers is recommended.