Abstract
Objectives
Whereas extant literature abounds with works on breastfeeding and its implications for child health and survival, there is very limited research on the challenges faced by disabled women in breastfeeding their infants and children. This study explored the challenges facing disabled women in the Kumasi Metropolis in exclusively breastfeeding their infants using qualitatibve research design.
Methods
Using a sample of 55 from the communities and key informants the snowballing and purtposive sampling techniques were used. The thematic approach was used in the analysis which was done manually.
Results
Most disabled women have Caesarean deliveries which could challenge exclusively breastfeed their infants. It was observed that disabled mothers generally have a low level of education, mostly unmarried and not gainfully employed. Secondly, most disabled mothers go through a Caesarean section during birth which makes it pretty difficult for them to exclusively breastfeed their infants. Apart from disabilities such as physical impairment, deafness and blindness which could challenge women exclusively breatfeed their children, additionally some health professionals discourage them from doing so. Some women and relatives of the disabled discourage them from exclusively breastfeeding their infants either through lack of awareness of the efficacy of the practice or the stress their involvement in exclusive breastfeeding brings upon the women themselves.
Conclusions
Various forms of disability, and dsiscouragement from some health professionals and family members may constrain disabled women from exclusively breatfeeding their infants. Recommendations include, implementing the Disability Act, creating special wards for disabled women in the health institutions and orienting the medical staff on their professional responsibilities in taking care of the disabled.
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Notes
The research preceded the 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC) Report.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the study participants for their participation and also to the research assistants who assisted in the data collection.
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The authors did not receive funding from any organisation. The research was fully funded by the authors.
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The corresponding author, DB, was responsible for designing the problem, theoretical and conceptual frameworks and methodology as well as leading out in data analysis and write-ups. RAO worked on some aspects of the literature review, data collection and some aspects of the analysis and write-ups whilst SA worked on aspects of data analysis and write-ups.
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Participants who could not write orally declared their desire to participate and provided thumbprints on the research whilst consent forms were signed by the literate and officials. The objective of the research and their roles were clearly explained before they consented to participate. The principles of anonymity and confidentiality were strictly observed. Participants were told that they could opt out of the survey anytime. The Office of the Ghana Federation for the Disabled gave its approval for the study and cooperated with the researchers in gathering information for the research. Additionally, the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology gave Ethical Approval for the study to be undertaken.
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Buor, D., Obosu, R.A. & Agyemang, S. Exploring the Challenges Facing Women with Disabilities in Exclusive Breastfeeding in a Metropolitan Area in Ghana: A Qualitative Study. Matern Child Health J 26, 1854–1860 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-022-03478-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-022-03478-3