Preliminary analysis for the creation of a breast milk bank

Abstract

Introduction  Low breastfeeding rates, local sociocultural conditions, and the absence of a breast milk bank in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, motivated this research.

Objective  This study quantitatively assessed perceptions of breastfeeding, aiming to measure and analyze the views of 60 breastfeeding mothers through a structured interview comprising 10 closed-ended questions on a Likert scale. The goal was to collect data for statistical analysis using factor analysis.

Method  The study involved 60 structured interviews with breastfeeding mothers over a 12-month period (March 2023–March 2024). A Likert scale (Table 2) was developed, along with the calculation of the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure, Bartlett’s test of sphericity, total variance, rotated components, and the operationalization of the identified perspectives.

Results  The study established key guidelines for creating a breast milk bank, including institutional support, regulatory frameworks, operational management, and strategic planning.

Conclusion  The theoretical and technical analysis suggests that establishing a breast milk bank is feasible and could provide essential support to improve the quality of life for newborns and preterm infants while also promoting the well-being and health of breastfeeding women and mothers.

Keywords:
Breast Feeding; Milk; Human; Milk Banks