Publication
Workplace programmes for supporting breast-feeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date:
14-10-2021
DOI:
10.1017/S1368980020004012
Abstract: To critically review the literature regarding workplace breast-feeding interventions and to assess their impact on breast-feeding indicators. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Electronic searches for workplace intervention studies to support breast-feeding, without restriction on language or study design, were performed in PubMed, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, Business Source Complete, ProQuest-Sociology and ProQuest-Social Science to 13 April 2020. A meta-analysis of the pooled effect of the programmes on breast-feeding indicators was conducted. The search identified 10 215 articles fourteen studies across eighteen publications met eligibility criteria. Programmes were delivered in the USA ( n 10), Turkey ( n 2), Thailand ( n 1) or Taiwan ( n 1). There were no randomised controlled trials. The pooled OR for exclusive breast-feeding at 3 or 6 months for participants v . non-participants of three non-randomised controlled studies was 3·21 (95 % CI 1·70, 6·06, I 2 = 22 %). Despite high heterogeneity, other pooled outcomes were consistently in a positive direction with acceptable CI. Pooled mean duration of breast-feeding for five single-arm studies was 9·16 months (95 % CI 8·25, 10·07). Pooled proportion of breast-feeding at 6 months for six single-arm studies was 0·76 (95 % CI 0·66, 0·84) and breast-feeding at 12 months for three single-arm studies was 0·41 (95 % CI 0·22, 0·62). Most programmes were targeted at mothers two were targeted at expectant fathers. Workplace programmes may be effective in promoting breast-feeding among employed mothers and partners of employed fathers. However, no randomised controlled trials were identified, and better-quality research on workplace interventions to improve breast-feeding is needed.