Female Employees’ Perception of Breastfeeding Support in the Workplace, Public Universities in Spain: A Multicentric Comparative Study

Cervera-Gasch, ÁguedaMena-Tudela, DesiréeLeón Larios, FátimaFelip-Galvan, NeusRochdi-Lahniche, SoukainaAndreu-Pejó, LauraGonzález-Chordá, Víctor Manuel2020-12-112020-12-112020-09-02Cervera-Gasch, Á., Mena-Tudela, D., León Larios, F., Felip-Galvan, N., Rochdi-Lahniche, S., Andreu-Pejó, L. y González-Chordá, V.M. (2020). Female Employees’ Perception of Breastfeeding Support in the Workplace, Public Universities in Spain: A Multicentric Comparative Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (17), 1-14.1660-46011661-7827https://hdl.handle.net/11441/103152Despite scientific recommendations for exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age and complementary breastfeeding to 2 years of age, breastfeeding abandonment rates increase with time, and one of the main reasons is that women go back to work. Aim: To analyze the perception of support of breastfeeding workers to continue breastfeeding at two Spanish universities, and associated factors. Methods: A multicenter retrospective cross-sectional comparative study conducted in a population of 777 female workers at the Universidad de Sevilla (US) and the Universitat Jaume I (UJI) in Spain using an online questionnaire. Results: The response rate was 38.74% (n = 301). Of all the participants, 57.8% continued breastfeeding after returning to work. The factors associated with continuing breastfeeding for longer were the university having a breastfeeding support policy and special accommodation (p < 0.001); participating in breastfeeding support groups (p < 0.001); intending to continue breastfeeding after returning to work (p < 0.001); knowing the occupational legislation in force (p = 0.009); having a female supervisor (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Breastfeeding support initiatives and having special accommodation to pump and preserve breast milk after returning to work are associated with a longer duration of female workers’ breastfeeding.application/pdf14engAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 InternacionalAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 InternacionalAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internacionalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/BreastfeedingWorkplaceFemale employmentLactationBreastfeeding supportBreastfeeding barrierFemale Employees’ Perception of Breastfeeding Support in the Workplace, Public Universities in Spain: A Multicentric Comparative Studyinfo:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccesshttps://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176402