Exploration of the experiences of breastfeeding doctors within the Cape Town Metropole District health service

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dc.contributor.advisorRas, Tasleem
dc.contributor.advisorAbrahams, Theodore
dc.contributor.authorDavids, Tina
dc.date.accessioned2025-10-31T10:58:46Z
dc.date.available2025-10-31T10:58:46Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2025-10-31T10:46:54Z
dc.description.abstractExclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life is known to be associated with many positive health outcomes. The regulatory environment in South Africa supports this, which has resulted in an improvement in exclusive breastfeeding from 7% in 2003, to 31.6% in 2016. However, it is not known how physician-mothers, who are themselves wanting to breastfeed, have experienced this phenomenon in their respective workplaces. This study explored the breastfeeding (BF) or breastmilk expression (BME) experience of doctors within the Cape Town Metro District Health Service. Aim: To describe the breastfeeding experiences, expectations, intentions, and outcomes of breastfeeding within the workplace. Methods: we conducted a qualitative cross-sectional study using semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed thematically, using an inductive approach. Results: Interviews with ten (N=10) participants were conducted, reaching data saturation after the eigth interview. The varying perspectives are reported within key themes that emerged: BF/BME aspirations at work; Awareness of existing breastfeeding policy; Enabling factors to BF/BME within the workplace; Barriers to BF/BME within the workplace. Conclusion: This novel exploratory study identified key factors that facilitate or hinder BF/BME within the workplace in this context. Recommendations to enhance BF/BME practices at work are made, based on implementing the existing policy. Pathways for future research are proposed that focus on improving the person-centred orientation of health services.
dc.identifier.apacitationDavids, T. (2025). <i>Exploration of the experiences of breastfeeding doctors within the Cape Town Metropole District health service</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42073en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationDavids, Tina. <i>"Exploration of the experiences of breastfeeding doctors within the Cape Town Metropole District health service."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42073en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationDavids, T. 2025. Exploration of the experiences of breastfeeding doctors within the Cape Town Metropole District health service. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42073en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Davids, Tina AB - Exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life is known to be associated with many positive health outcomes. The regulatory environment in South Africa supports this, which has resulted in an improvement in exclusive breastfeeding from 7% in 2003, to 31.6% in 2016. However, it is not known how physician-mothers, who are themselves wanting to breastfeed, have experienced this phenomenon in their respective workplaces. This study explored the breastfeeding (BF) or breastmilk expression (BME) experience of doctors within the Cape Town Metro District Health Service. Aim: To describe the breastfeeding experiences, expectations, intentions, and outcomes of breastfeeding within the workplace. Methods: we conducted a qualitative cross-sectional study using semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed thematically, using an inductive approach. Results: Interviews with ten (N=10) participants were conducted, reaching data saturation after the eigth interview. The varying perspectives are reported within key themes that emerged: BF/BME aspirations at work; Awareness of existing breastfeeding policy; Enabling factors to BF/BME within the workplace; Barriers to BF/BME within the workplace. Conclusion: This novel exploratory study identified key factors that facilitate or hinder BF/BME within the workplace in this context. Recommendations to enhance BF/BME practices at work are made, based on implementing the existing policy. Pathways for future research are proposed that focus on improving the person-centred orientation of health services. DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - breastfeeding KW - breastmilk expression KW - occupational health KW - health services KW - person-centered health services KW - staff retention LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - Exploration of the experiences of breastfeeding doctors within the Cape Town Metropole District health service TI - Exploration of the experiences of breastfeeding doctors within the Cape Town Metropole District health service UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42073 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/42073
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationDavids T. Exploration of the experiences of breastfeeding doctors within the Cape Town Metropole District health service. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42073en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Public Health and Family Medicine
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectbreastfeeding
dc.subjectbreastmilk expression
dc.subjectoccupational health
dc.subjecthealth services
dc.subjectperson-centered health services
dc.subjectstaff retention
dc.titleExploration of the experiences of breastfeeding doctors within the Cape Town Metropole District health service
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMMed
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