Prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort among breastfeeding mothers

Background: Musculo-skeletal disorders are a diverse group of disorders with regard to pathophysiology. Breast feeding is universally endorsed by the world health and scientific organization as the best way of feeding infants .Although the benifits of breast feeding for mother and child are well documented . However, musculoskeletal pain associated with breast feeding position has not been well investigated ,
Objective: The study objective was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort among breast feeding women.
Methods: the study design was non experimental , 90 subjects, who are immediate and 3months and 6months duration ofbreast feeding womens. PROCEDURE: 30 subjects in Group-A immediate and 35 subjects inGroup-B after 3months of delivery and 35 subjects in Group-c after 6months of delivery .
Outcome Measures: Nordic musculo-skeletal discomfort questionnaire.
RESULTS: musculoskeletal discomforts were distributed as follows of Neck was 61%, shoulders 59% ,Upper back 58%, Lower back 46 %,Elbow 41% while Wrist and hand were 22%.
Conclusion: This study concluded that musculoskeletal discomforts were distributed according to du duration of breast feeding period where by group C that was composed of six months duration of breast feeding were more affected in different sites.