Nam Mi Kang
Konkuk University, South Korea
Title: The awareness of human milk bank in Korean mothers: Web-based survey
Biography
Biography: Nam Mi Kang
Abstract
Aim: Human milk bank is known as one of the best alternative options for sick infants including premature infants. However, only two human milk banks (HMBs) are working in Korea. In the present study, we evaluated the awareness on the HMB in Korean mothers who had infants younger than 18 months old to find out the issues that would help establishment of HMB in Korea.
Methods: The survey questionnaire was developed by a team composed with neonatologists, obstetricians, nurses, nutritionists and health care specialists. The internet survey was performed by sending emails to mothers who were registered to Maeil family members have children younger than 18 months for 864 Korean women. Totally 864 questionnaire were received among 114,469 answers and the results were analyzed.
Results: However, only 49% of subjects had awareness of the presence of HMB. Unfortunately, less than half of them could get information about HMB by official way including mass media. In addition, 76% of subjects were found not to want to use HMB. Most important reason was found as a concern on the safety of donor milk including lifestyle of donors, infection controls and possible nutritional loss of banked milk.
Conclusion: The purpose and function of HMB is not widely educated and it seems to be most important for women who has negative concept about HMB in Korea. Thus, further study is warranted with more numbers of subjects after active public education about the HMB.