Breastfeeding and Occupational Stress and Fatigue of Female Workers in Garment Manufacturing Companies

Abstract

Female workers have not been clearly defined in the legislation that supports breastfeeding. Moreover, a significant number of them experience occupational stress and fatique, which may disturb productivity. The research aimed to reveal the stress and fatigue level of breastfeeding female workers from garment companies in Sobosukawonosraten area of Central Java. Using cross sectional approach, this analytical survey involved 210 female workers of six garment companies across six districts. Furthermore, cluster snowball sampling technique was used to sample the workers, and chi-square test was used to analyze the data. Research results indicated a significant correlation between breastfeeding and occupational stress (X2= 15.307, p < 0.05) with an effect of 26.1% (C= 26.1; OR= 3.124); and another significant correlation between breastfeeding and occupational fatigue (X2= 15.307, p < 0.05) with a 55.5% effect (C= 55.5; OR= 30.82). On the whole, breastfeeding female workers have special needs and require attention from the companies in order to continue supporting good breastfeeding for the babies, who will become the nation’s future generation.

Keywords

• breastfeeding
• occupational
• stress
• fatigue