Abstract
Objective: To assess the influencing factors of breastfeeding practices among working women visiting tertiary care hospitals in Hyderabad.
Study Design: A Descriptive Cross-sectional quantitative study..
Study Setting and Duration: The study was conducted at Kotri and Liaquat University Hospitals, Hyderabad, Pakistan, from February to June 2025.
Material and Methods: A total of 359 working mothers of infants aged 0–12 months were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographics, breastfeeding practices, and workplace support. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests (SPSS v26). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval.
Results: Most working mothers were 26–35 years (47.6%), had 1–2 children (32.6%–36.5%), and intermediate (42.3%) or undergraduate education (38.7%). The majority were full-time employees (82.7%), with children aged 4–7 months (38.2%), and 56.5% lived in joint families. Overall, 65% were breastfeeding. Continuation was significantly associated with flexible time (36.4%, p = 0.012), private room (33.9%, p = 0.034), maternity leave (50.8%, p = 0.005), and employer-provided information (50.4%, p = 0.011). Refrigeration (26.9%), breast pumps (13.6%), nursery facilities (56.8%), and task adjustments (54.3%) were not significant.
Conclusion: Workplace accommodations, including flexible schedules, private lactation spaces, maternity leave, and employer-provided breastfeeding guidance, facilitate breastfeeding continuation among working mothers. Additionally, socio-cultural, family, and individual factors influence breastfeeding practices. Promoting breastfeeding effectively requires interventions that address both workplace policies and broader personal and social determinants
Keywords: Breast Feeding; Working Women; Workplace; Maternal Employment, Lactation Maternity Leave, Pakistan
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