WED-065 - Exploring the Psychological Impact of Constraints to Exclusive Breastfeeding on Working Mothers in Lagos, Nigeria

Brief Abstract Summary: "Research is in progress; data collection and analysis will be ready by the conference date."

Learn the psychological impact of workplace barriers on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among working mothers in Lagos, Nigeria. EBF is crucial for the first six months of an infant's life, yet Nigeria's EBF rates remain low at 17%. This study investigates how limited maternity leave, lack of breastfeeding facilities, and workplace constraints contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression among working mothers. Conducted at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), the study involves 150-200 breastfeeding women employed full or part-time.
Using the DASS mini-12-item scale, results will highlight the strong correlation between workplace support, knowledge of EBF, and maternal mental health, emphasizing the need for policies that promote breastfeeding-friendly environments and extended maternity leave to improve EBF rates and maternal well-being.

Detailed abstract description: This presentation dives into the psychological toll workplace barriers impose on breastfeeding mothers in Lagos, offering a deep understanding of how these constraints lead to mental health struggles. Attendees will learn about the intersection between workplace conditions, knowledge of EBF, and maternal mental health, with a focus on identifying stress, anxiety, and depression in this population.

Through a mixed-method, cross-sectional study conducted at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), this research uncovers the real-world impact of employment type, workplace support, and EBF knowledge on mothers' psychological states. The presentation will provide key data on how these factors influence maternal mental health and offer valuable insights into why public health interventions and workplace reforms are urgently needed.

Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how implementing breastfeeding-friendly environments, extending maternity leave, and supporting EBF can reduce maternal stress and improve outcomes for both mothers and their babies. This presentation offers actionable data for policymakers, public health professionals, and employers, providing a road map for creating supportive systems that uplift maternal and infant health.

Whether you’re involved in public health, workplace policy, maternal healthcare, or advocacy, this presentation offers compelling evidence and practical recommendations for improving the well-being of working mothers and their infants in Nigeria and Worldwide.