Abstract Background: The World Health Organization recommends that for infants who cannot receive breast milk from their own mothers, the next preferred option is donated breast milk. However, this is rarely practiced in developing countries because of various misconceptions. This study helps determine the women’s perception about human milk donation and banking and its associated factors in a rural area of Puducherry. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled mothers attending antenatal and well-baby clinic in a community health center in Puducherry using simple random sampling method using computer-generated random number table. An interviewer-administered pretested questionnaire, which was pilot-tested and translated into local language focused on sociodemographic details, obstetrics characteristics, breastfeeding behavior, and women’s opinion about human milk donation and banking, was used. Logistic regression was applied to determine the associated factors. Results: Among 422 mothers, 37.9% ( n = 160) belonged to 18–24 years of age. Only 20% of mothers were aware about human milk donation, and 37% of mothers reported that human milk donation is inconvenient. 40% of mothers indicated their willingness to donate or use the breast milk if human milk bank is established. Mothers with higher education preferred donor milk to infant formula. Adequate awareness (Adjusted prevalence ratio aPR: 0.145), acceptance to donate human milk (aPR: 0.220), acceptance to receive human milk (aPR: 0.006), and inconvenient milk donation (aPR: 27.585) were significant predictors for willingness of milk donation. Conclusions: The awareness about human milk donation and banking is low among mothers. Targeted public enlightenment and education to mothers and their family members regarding human milk donation may help increase its acceptance and practice.
Kadar et al. (Thu,) studied this question.