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South African Journal of Occupational Therapy

On-line version ISSN 2310-3833
Print version ISSN 0038-2337

S. Afr. j. occup. ther. vol.46 n.2 Pretoria Aug. 2016

http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2310-3833/2016/v46n2a11 

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

 

Breastfeeding among mothers in the public health sector: the role of the occupational therapist

 

 

Marieta VisserI; Mariette NelII; Tanya la CockIII; Netske LabuschagneIII; Wihanli LindequeIII; Annelize MalanIII; Carli ViljoenIII

IB OT (UFS), MSc (OT) (Wits). Lecturer, Department of Occupational Therapy, School for Allied Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State
IIMMedSc (Biostatistics) (UFS). Lecturer, Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State
IIIB OT (UFS). Students in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of the Free State at the time the study was carried out

Correspondence

 

 


ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM: South Africa has an unacceptably high child mortality rate. Preventable causes such as malnutrition account for a high percentage of these deaths. Breastfeeding as infant feeding practice is recognised for its potential to radically reduce child mortality and is therefore promoted globally. Yet, SA presents with the lowest breastfeeding rates worldwide. Breastfeeding is a child rearing co-occupation, and occupational therapists (OTs) are well positioned to become role players on a transdisciplinary level to address the infant child mortality rate through promoting and supporting breastfeeding. Although not well described in the literature and traditionally not considered part of occupational therapy practice, this study aimed to determine the role of the OT in addressing breastfeeding among mothers in the public health sector (PHS).
METHOD: A purposive sample of 9 OTs from Bloemfontein working in the Public Health Service (PHS) participated in this study. An e-Delphi technique was used to set up four rounds of sequential questionnaires developed from and structured according to the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) Domain and Process.
RESULTS: From the 128 initial statements, 95 statements reached consensus determined at 80% agreement. Statements were clustered according to OT roles identified, which included clinician, consultant, educator, trainer, advocate and facilitator.
CONCLUSION: OTs have a role to play in addressing breastfeeding among mothers in the PHS, within a transdisciplinary team. If OTs aligned their practice with global and national initiatives and policies, the population-based health issue of infant child mortality could be addressed collectively.

Keywords: child mortality; breastfeeding; child rearing; co-occupation; Delphi technique


 

 

INTRODUCTION

Globally, malnutrition is the leading cause of child mortality1. Based on current projections, between 2015 and 2028, 35 million children will die world-wide before their fifth birthday2, unless the call to improve child survival is strengthened within population-based health. These deaths in children are largely due to preventable causes, such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria, which mostly occur in children weakened by malnutrition3-5. Therefore, malnutrition should be prevented, considering that it is the right of every child to have access to basic nutrition6,7.

The infant feeding practice of breastfeeding is recognised as the greatest strategy in combating malnutrition and alleviating child mortality8-10. Inappropriate infant feeding practices are a significant threat to child health11. The many health benefits that breastfeeding holds regarding an infant's nutritional needs and immune system, have been well researched8,12,13. Exclusive breastfeeding has also been proven to pose minimal risk for mother-to-child transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)l4. The benefits overarch the lifespan of the mother-child-dyad, contributing to a stronger bond and mental and physical wellbeing15. Investment in early childhood development during critical periods has been shown to positively contribute to socio-economic aspects relating to human capital10,15-17. Yet, the exclusive breastfeeding rate (mothers only breastfeeding with no additional feeding) of only 8% in South Africa is the lowest in the world18, directly relating to the unacceptably high rate of 47 000 deaths annually among children younger than five years of age2,18,19.

When dealt with in a transdisciplinary team20, breastfeeding has the potential to address this population-based crisis of infant mortality. Although the Occupational Therapy (OTy) profession is grounded on the construct of "supporting and promoting health through participation in occupations"2l:SI,22:507, including the child rearing co-occupation of breastfeeding, Occupational Therapists (OTs) have not traditionally considered it within the scope of their profession to address breastfeeding in the public health sector (PHS). Consequently, the role of the Occupational Therapist (OT) in this regard, as a member of the transdisciplinary team, is not well described in the literature.

Globally and nationally, ample guiding initiatives aim to promote breastfeeding with the aim of alleviating child mortality. The 2005 Innocenti Declaration of Infant and Young Child Feeding recognises the significance of breastfeeding to improve infant survival and support child health11. Furthermore, the release of the 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on HIV and infant feeding14 transformed existing breastfeeding agendas into a key child survival strategy. The fourth Millennium Developmental Goal (count-down 2015) aimed to reduce child mortality by two thirds, which South Africa has failed to fully achieve5,3,22. Building on the progress made globally, the two new sets of targets include the Sustainable Developmental Goals23, and A Promise Renewed: Committing to Child Survival2,9. The Tshwane Declaration resolutions direct South Africa to promote, support and protect breastfeeding24. The Infant and Young Child Feeding Policy (IYCFP)1 is an initiative that demonstrates South Africa's commitment towards promoting child health, and provides clear guidelines regarding feeding the infant in the context of HIV.

Considering these guiding initiatives, the call for a response from OTs as members of the health profession echoes with the ethos of 'A Promise Renewed', which stated that child survival is a shared responsibility and everyone has a contribution to make2. Since OTs are well positioned within the transdisciplinary team, to become role players in the child rearing co-occupation of breastfeeding, they should become involved with initiatives aimed at protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding10,11,20.

This article reports on a study that aimed to investigate the role of the OT in addressing breastfeeding among mothers in the PHS, and further provides a review of the literature and recommendations.

 

LITERATURE REVIEW

According to the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) Domain and Process, 3rd edition21, breastfeeding is considered as one of the "instrumental activities of daily living" (IADLs), which are defined as "activities to support daily life within the home and community that often require more complex interactions than those used in ADLs"21:S19. Within the broad range of IADLs, breastfeeding will be more specifically classified as a "...child rearing activity"21:S19 defined as "providing care and supervision to support the developmental needs of a child" 21:S19. Furthermore, occupation that "implicitly involves two or more individuals may be termed co-occupations"21:S42. It involves active participation on the part of both the caregiver and the recipient of care. It is also referred to as a mother-child dyad20.

The child rearing co-occupation of breastfeeding transcends the typical classifications of eating and feeding10,21, and this relationship benefits both the mother and child across the lifespan15, resulting in a positive impact on the greater society. Breastfeeding is indeed "the great equaliser"25:1,26:6 as infants from all social or economic backgrounds, who are optimally fed, have an equal start on a healthy life.

Breastfeeding is also the most nutritious and economical method of feeding an infantl2, making it an ideal solution in poverty stricken countries, such as South Africa where 45.5% of the population live in poverty27. One of the benefits of breast milk is that it contains antibodies that boost the infant's immune system, providing protection against numerous infections8,12,13,28.

Breastfeeding has long-term benefits for the mother, which include a decreased risk of ovarian and breast cancer, and facilitating weight loss to a pre-pregnancy level, thereby reducing the risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome10,12,13. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of depression and promotes a general sense of physical health in the mother15.

For the society and economy, breastfeeding benefits include decreased annual public healthcare costs, decreased absenteeism of the working mother with associated loss of family income, and a decreased environmental burden for production, transport and disposal of artificial feeding productsl0,l6. With regard to the management of population growth, breastfeeding has a contraceptive effect which contributes to family planning10 and natural spacing of children25.

In order to explain how OTy fits into the bigger picture in addressing breastfeeding, we will use Labbok's20 framework of four pillars for population-based breastfeeding support. These pillars are (i) national and governmental commitments aimed at supporting the rights of women and children; (ii) legislations and policies regarding infant feeding; (iii) improving health worker skills and health system support; and (iv) improving family and community practices.

The first two pillars are concerned with world leaders' vision of a brighter future. As we enter a post-millennial era, actions are intensified through initiatives such as the Sustainable Developmental Goals23, and A Promise Renewed: Committing to Child Survival2, with the target to attain 20 or fewer deaths under the age of five per 1000 live births by 20359,29. South Africa has aligned itself with the first two pillars by forming policies such as the Tshwane Dec-laration24 and the Infant and Young Child Feeding Policy (IYCFP)1 that recognise the urgency of improving breastfeeding rates. The IYCFP specifically states that all healthcare personnel require sufficient knowledge and training in child feeding in order to provide support for mothers2. It also guides OTs to apply their unique set of knowledge and skills to live up to the core credence of promoting health and wellbeing through participation and engagement in occupations30.

The third pillar constitutes public health-related issues. The PHS of South Africa serves 82% of the population31. For every 100 000 individuals there are 430 healthcare workers32 and 2.6 OTs31,33. Consequently, collaboration between all disciplines is vital for a transdisciplinary approach to population-based health. A population-based health approach enables OTs to deliver cost- and time-effective services to a larger population group when compared to one-on-one intervention, while simultaneously applying the fourth pillar of providing and facilitating support to families and communities. OTs are therefore well positioned to become role players in promoting and supporting breastfeeding.

The role of OTs is defined as the attributes and behaviours expected of them when they act in accordance with their responsibility as they are held accountable by the standards of OT practice34. Research is required to articulate the value of the profession's involvement in addressing child survival in South Africa. Therefore, clarifying the OT's role within the transdisciplinary team regarding breastfeeding is critical to address the unacceptably high child mortality rate in South Africa.

The aim of the study was to determine the role of the OT in addressing breastfeeding among mothers in the public health sector (PHS).

 

METHODS

An observational, descriptive study design using the Delphi technique. The Delphi technique, a research approach used to structure group communication about practice-related problems, and is known for consensus development by using multiple rounds of data collection, was used35,36. It seeks consensus on a certain topic among a panel of experts when there is limited evidence on a topic. For this study, the electronic Delphi (e-Delphi)35 was used to clarify a specific role in OTy relating to breastfeeding and to determine the extent of agreement and disagreement over given OTy roles relating to breastfeeding. The Delphi process in this study extended to four rounds in an iterative manner, i.e. questions in the second round were developed based on the responses from the first round. Consensus was determined at 80% agreement35,37.

Ethics

Approval for this study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State. To ensure ethical conduct, written permission was received from the Head of the Free State Province Department of Health (DOH) and written consent was obtained from all participating OTs prior to the study.

Study participants

The population consisted of a homogeneous group of 36 OTs (N = 36) practising within the PHS in Bloemfontein (personal communication; Corne Vrey, 15 February 2015). The PHS consists of one primary care hospital, one secondary care hospital, one tertiary care hospital and approximately 43 clinics.

The inclusion criteria for the study were as follows: qualified OTs, female, with experience in paediatrics, who have practised in the PHS of Bloemfontein within the previous five years. The OTs should have had experience in the field of paediatrics in areas such as developmental screening clinics, where the therapist had access to mothers and children two years of age or younger. For practical reasons, the therapists needed to be literate in English, competent in the use of a computer and have internet access.

The 36 OTs working in PHS were all informed about the study and invited to participate. Through purposeful selection35,37, thirteen OTs who met the inclusion criteria were approached telephonically and invited to participate. Each of these OTs was read a study overview from the same pre-planned script. This overview informed the possible participants that a maximum of four rounds were possible within the Delphi process and that the participants who completed the study would be remunerated for their time with six continuous professional development (CPD) points, (Clearance to allocate these CPD points was obtained prior to the study). The OTs who considered participation in this study, were then e-mailed a comprehensive information sheet and a consent form. Nine therapists (n=9) consented to participate and formed the panel of experts after which they received a code to ensure confidentiality. These experts (panel members) included therapists from the following clinical areas; Pelonomi Regional Hospital (5 therapists), Universi-tas Academic Hospital (3 therapists), MUCPP Clinic (1 therapist).

Measurement instrument

The questionnaire for Round 1 was developed from the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) Domain and Process, 3rd edition21. Each OTPF domain area (i.e. occupational areas; client factors; performance skills; performance patterns and contextual and environmental factors), as indicated in Table I, was considered in the development of the questions and hence reflected accordingly in the questionnaire of Round 1. A baseline question was formed and adapted for each aspect of the domain, for example: "What role can the OT assume in addressing breastfeeding in the following Occupational Areas: Sleep" (the latter is altered according to the specified aspect of the domain). The questionnaire of Round 1 consisted of six sections, of which section one comprised 10 demographic questions, and the other five sections represented the five OTy domain areas, consisting of a total of 24 open-ended questions.

 

 

Two objective reviewers (an OT with experience in the field of paediatrics and breastfeeding and an expert in the use of the Delphi technique) revised the draft of the questionnaire for Round 1 and modifications were made accordingly before it was sent out. The modifications included adding definitions of terminology to ensure that the knowledge of the OTs was not assessed, but rather that their professional opinion was obtained; improved user-friendliness of the questionnaire; and incorporating the OTPF domain together with the process, in an information letter.

For Round 1, the panel members received an information letter and the Round 1 questionnaire via e-mail, with three working days to complete this questionnaire. A description of Round 2 to Round 4 will follow in the Result section.

Data collection and analysis

SurveyMonkey,38 was used to electronically compile and distribute the four rounds of questionnaires. The primary investigator (study leader) and student researchers compiled the content of the questionnaires for each round, consolidated the statements and re-entered the questionnaires for each round onto SuveyMon-key. Descriptive statistics, namely frequencies and percentages for categorical data, and medians and percentiles for continuous data, were calculated by the Department of Biostatistics of the University of the Free State.

 

RESULTS

In Round 1, it was determined that the panel members had a median of 8 years paediatric experience, with all levels of public healthcare represented. Four had personal experience with breastfeeding (meaning that they had personally breastfed their own child), ranging from 3 to more than 12 months. The opinion relating to breastfeeding of the panel members were influenced by personal and clinical experience, relatives and friends. Table II indicates the aspects that influenced their opinion gauged on a 4-point Likert scale.

 

 

The questionnaire distributed in Round 1 (representing the five OTy domain areas and consisting of 24 open-ended questions) provided the researchers with 216 responses. The responses were consolidated to generate a list of 128 statements.

In Round 2, the panel members had to either agree or disagree with the 128 statements. At the end of each section a question was also asked to establish if the OT considered that specific role as either unique to the profession, or an aspect that could be addressed in the transdisciplinary team. They were given two working days to complete this questionnaire. Consensus was reached on 91 statements.

For Round 3, the 37 statements on which consensus was not reached, re-entered the Delphi process. The panel members had two working days to complete this questionnaire. Consensus was reached on three more statements, resulting in a total of 94 statements on which panel members reached consensus.

For Round 4, the remaining 34 statements re-entered the Delphi process. The panel members had one working day to complete this questionnaire. Consensus was reached on one more statement, giving a total of 95 statements on which consensus was eventually reached. Due to time constraints, the remaining 33 statements were not re-entered into a next round.

Table III includes some examples of the 95 statements on which the panel reached consensus. These statements were considered to be key statements in reflecting the essence of the results from the Delphi rounds. The complete list of statements is available on request from the corresponding author. The statements are presented according to the aspects of the OTy domain as they appear in the OTPF 3rd edition21 and do not imply a specific hierarchy.

The study concluded with the panel reaching 74.2% (95/128) consensus on the given statements, indicating agreement among participating OTs in the PHS regarding their potential role in promoting and supporting breastfeeding. Given the choice to agree or disagree with the given statements, the panel agreed with 94 statements, and disagreed with one statement. The one statement regarding the role of the OT, the panel disagreed on was "Promoting/raising awareness in the community of the different cultural beliefs on breastfeeding and accommodating it".

The roles that the OT can assume, as deducted from the 95 statements shown in Table III, were clustered according to roles identified in literature21,34. These roles are as follows and the number of statements which indicated this particular role is provided in brackets ie clinician (27), consultant (17), educator (16), trainer (9), advocate (9) and facilitator (17), which will be described accordingly in the discussion21,34. (See Table IV)

 

DISCUSSION

With the holistic client-centred approach to the mother-child dyad in the co-occupation of breastfeeding being identified as embedded within several statements, this study revealed that OTs could provide a unique and valuable service21.

The definite agreement among OTs in the PHS regarding the various roles they can potentially assume to promote and support breastfeeding, is congruent with existing literature and global and national initiatives.

The role as a clinician, who has direct contact with the mother39, was evident in statements that OTs could make environmental adaptations and assistive devices for breastfeeding mothers. The results are supported by literature stating that OTs could assess and adapt the infant and mother's sleeping environment10. The OT can also strengthen the infant-parent bond by encouraging eye contact and a calm and relaxed mood in the mother15.

The role of consultant, to provide expert advice40, includes the establishment of insight into the importance of leisure activities and adequate rest and sleep in order to address the well-being of the breastfeeding mother. By advising mothers to exclusively breastfeed, OTs will ensure that mothers reap the benefits from the physiological impact that breastfeeding has on sleep, compared to mixed- or formula-feeding15. Consultation could also include referral to and collaborative work with the appropriate health team members (e.g. dietician). The results also indicated that OTs could provide information on sensory profiles, typical developmental and age-appropriate play stimulation.

Literature emphasises the use of media platforms (such as mHealth) by health professionals to make information more accessible to the larger population. However, no reference has been made to existing media platforms such as mHealth Alliance44, MAMA SA initiative45 or MomConnect46, that could be used by OTs as consulting tools. The use of mobile health technology is therefore an underexplored intervention media in comparison to the more traditional "hands-on" intervention strategies in the OTy profession, and should receive urgent investigation.

The OT also has an educational role, which entails imparting information to the mother41regarding the value of breastfeeding that correlates with the objectives of the Infant and Young Child Feeding1:16. Similarly, suggestions to assist the mother in creating a routine and establishing healthy habits are supported by Pitonyak10, who explains that the OT has expert knowledge in establishing performance patterns conducive to breastfeeding. Further, it has been indicated that educating a mother on the roles and responsibilities that accompany her newly acquired occupation of breastfeeding, will ease the occupational identity change21,47.

As a trainer, the study supported the role that OTs could play in teaching the mother specific skills42 regarding Kangaroo Mother Care and reading infant stress cues1,10. The results indicated that OTs could teach skills regarding correct positioning of the baby and relaxation techniques that will contribute to the mother's well-being.

The facilitator role on a primary healthcare level includes, amongst others, OTs assisting in the establishment of support groups. Such group intervention strategies, where collective involvement of the family and close friends is obtained10, can influence the motivating and positive choice-making among mothers1,21. Providing an opportunity for mothers to learn within a group environment, allows transference of knowledge pertaining to breastfeeding, and allows OTs "to standardise and harmonise messages relating to infant and young child nutrition"1:12.

The role of advocate, to plead for the cause of another43, is perhaps, in the South African context and in light of our high infant mortality rate, a pertinent role that OTs should more actively assume. However, no consensus was achieved on similar statements, which can indicate unawareness amongst OTs of the guiding policies relating to breastfeeding. The role of an advocate is strongly supported by the Tshwane Declaration, which encourages healthcare personnel, including OTs, to promote breastfeeding. Advocating for extended maternity leave, creating supportive environments in the workplace and school (for teenaged mothers)1,48 and being involved in awareness campaigns such as World Breastfeeding Week, are possible areas of intervention1,48. Furthermore, acting as an advocate is a population-based approach through which societal perceptions can be broken down and social norms supportive of breastfeeding can be cultured10.

In accordance with the literature1,10,20 and the four pillar framework for population-based breastfeeding support20, the growth potential of the profession has been emphasised through the roles identified in this study.

The implication of these roles requires that the profession of occupational therapy makes a shift regarding the traditional perspective of not having a definite role in addressing breastfeeding. Through acting in accordance with the objectives outlined by the overarching legislation and policies in South Africa, namely the IYCFP and Tshwane Declaration, the role of the OT in this regard can be established.

The execution of this study was limited by a time schedule which consequently restricted the study to four rounds. Although a small sample of 9 OTs participated, they represented a reasonable sample of the population of 36 OTs currently working in the PHS. One of the strengths of the study was the absence of participant dropout.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

The unacceptably high child mortality rate in South Africa can best be addressed through a population based approach. Breastfeeding, recognised for the potential to radically reduce child mortality, should be promoted and supported by all role players on a trans-disciplinary level in the PHS. Although supporting and promoting breastfeeding traditionally belonged to the nursing profession, breastfeeding is a child rearing co-occupation, and occupational therapists (OTs) are therefore also well positioned to become role players.

Since the promotion and support of breastfeeding are underex-plored in the OTy profession, many areas where OTs can potentially be involved have emerged and hence the following recommendations are proposed.

With regard to clinical practice, OTs can ensure that the services that they render are aligned with the relevant national and international guiding initiatives and policies. OTs can act upon their responsibility towards mothers and children through implementing above mentioned initiatives and policies, as well as the suggested actions described underneath each role that an OT can assume, as fitting the specific clinical setting.

The use of alternative delivery of services through media platforms, including mobile health technologies such as MomCon-nect31,45,46, is strongly recommended for OTs. Through becoming involved in the content of media messages that include the OT professions contribution will allow them to broaden their clientele to include individuals, groups, communities and populations, ensuring a population-based health approach within the PHS.

We recommend that an increased awareness of international and national guiding documents49 relating to infant health and feeding practices (including breastfeeding) be incorporated into OTy undergraduate training, to foster a broader population-based transdisciplinary health approach with students. A 24-hour breastfeeding course has already been implemented at the University of the Free State.

A strong transdisciplinary approach, without overlapping other pertinent health professionals' roles in breastfeeding (such as nursing), is recommended. An occupational perspective on breastfeeding will contribute to a holistic approach. OTs can, for example, collaborate more with community health workers, especially in areas where services are insufficient and assess the services already available to establish best intervention strategies to complement the other professions. This can be done through regular screening, follow-up appointments with complicated cases, support groups, and awareness and promotion campaigns in the community to name a few examples.

Lastly, we recommend further research on the current statements on which consensus was reached in the Delphi survey, on a larger panel of experts on a national level, to further clarify the identified roles of OTs in breastfeeding promotion. Research is also needed to investigate the impact of OTs addressing breastfeeding, establishing evidence-based practice. So as to standardise the role of the OT in breastfeeding as determined by evidence-based practice that may be implemented throughout the PHS.

 

CONCLUSION

There is conclusive agreement among participating OTs regarding the potential role within the transdisciplinary team, in promoting and supporting breastfeeding among mothers in the PHS. The Delphi technique enabled participants to identify the specific roles that OTs can potentially assume. Roles that emerged from the study included that of clinician, consultant, educator, trainer, facilitator and advocate. However, further delineation of the OTs' role in addressing the co-occupation of breastfeeding is indicated on larger samples.

In obligation to international and national guiding initiatives, OTs in the public health services in South Africa are called into action to assume their role within the transdisciplinary team (without overlapping with other health professionals' roles), for the improvement of a population-based health crisis - child mortality rates related to malnutrition. With this matter in mind, it has to be emphasised that breastfeeding remains a life and death issue that can only be addressed collectively.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Dr. Christel Troskie-de Bruin, ASEV Research and Development Consultants; and Dr. Daleen Struwig, Faculty of Health Sciences, UFS, are acknowledged for editorial and technical preparation of the manuscript.

 

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Correspondence:
Marieta M Visser
vissermm@ufs.ac.za

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