Donor mothers portrayal and associated variables with breast milk donation in a Human Milk Bank

Abstract

Objective

To describe and analyze the donor mothers’ profile and variables associated with breast milk donation at Human Milk Bank in the municipality of Guarapuava, Paraná, Brazil.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study obtained from information contained in the donor registration form between the period July 2013 (implementation of the service) to December 2019. The collected data were tabulated and descriptive analysis of variables and Chi-square and Fischer’s exact association tests were performed.

Results

Of 1,491 records analyzed, this research identified that 70.73% of donors were between 20 to 34 years old; 67.69% had prenatal care at public health network and 61.37% have had cesarean delivery. Most mothers (61.44%) remained as donor for 29 days and 53.83% of them donated up to 500 ml of milk. In addition, statistically significant association was observed between milk volume donated and donation time for the following variables: prenatal place care, gestational age, child’s birth weight, child age, and smoking. Maternal age was associated with a higher volume of donated milk.

Conclusion

The study’s findings reinforce the approaching importance the possibility of human milk donation during prenatal care, with emphasis on private health service, and throughout the women’s and children’s health care network, as well as on the community.