Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Cultural-Religious Perceptions Regarding Human Milk Donation and Human Milk Banking: A Cross-Sectional Study among Postpartum Mothers at a Tertiary Care Hospital
Keywords:
Breast Feeding; Human Milk Banks; Knowledge; Attitude; Mothers; Pakistan.Abstract
Objective: To assess maternal knowledge, attitudes, and cultural-religious perceptions regarding human milk donation and acceptance of donor human milk among postpartum mothers at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.
Study Design: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Over the course of six months, October 1, 2025, to March 30, 2026, this study was carried out at Pakistan Naval Ship (PNS) Shifa Hospital in Karachi.
Materials and Methods: A total of 375 postpartum mothers with infants younger than six months were enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling. Data were collected using a standardized intervieweradministered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, knowledge, attitudes, and cultural-religious perceptions regarding human milk donation and milk banking. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used for data analysis, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 375 postpartum mothers participated in the study, with a mean age of 28.73 ± 4.43 years. Awareness of human milk banks was reported by 169 (45.1%) mothers, while 209 (55.7%) believed donor human milk was more nutritious than formula milk. Most participants (321; 85.6%) expressed concerns regarding infection transmission through donor milk, and 342 (91.3%) were aware of the concept of milk kinship (Rada'a). Only 82 (21.9%) mothers were willing to donate breast milk, and 49 (13.1%) were willing to receive donor human milk for their infants, indicating low acceptance despite moderate awareness.
Conclusion: Despite moderate awareness of human milk banking, willingness to donate or receive donor human milk remained low among postpartum mothers. Fears of infection and cultural-religious concerns were the principal barriers to acceptance.
