Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41185042›Full record

ArticleInternational breastfeeding journal2025

Medicine use during breastfeeding in Uganda: stakeholder perspectives on barriers and facilitators.

Ritah Nakijoba, Ronald Kiguba, Winnie Nakiyingi, Faridah Namitala, Catriona Waitt, Lynn M Atuyambe

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International breastfeeding journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Ritah NakijobaInfectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda. rnakijoba@idi.co.ug.
Ronald KigubaDepartment of Pharmacology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
Winnie NakiyingiInfectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
Faridah NamitalaInfectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
Catriona WaittInfectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
Lynn M AtuyambeDepartment of Community Health and Behavior Sciences, Makerere University School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.

Funding

Medical Research Council MR/V030434/1Medical Research Council MR/V03510X/1Wellcome Trust 222075_Z_20_Z
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBreastfeeding supports infant health, yet medicine use during this period is often influenced by limited safety data, cultural beliefs, and weak regulatory guidance. This study highlights how these factors, along with partner influence, contribute to uncertainty and reliance on informal advice, emphasizing the need for clear guidelines and better communication to support safe medicine use.

methodsThis exploratory qualitative study was conducted between January and April 2024, involving twelve breastfeeding women, seven of their partners, ten healthcare providers, and five representatives from the National Drug Authority in Uganda. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with breastfeeding women and their partners, while key informant interviews were conducted with healthcare providers and regulatory officials. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data, identifying recurring codes that were systematically organized into subthemes and overarching themes.

resultsFour key themes were identified concerning perspectives on medicine use during breastfeeding. First, healthcare providers and regulatory personnel showed varying levels of knowledge of medicine use during breastfeeding, relying on external resources due to uncertainty, while women identified healthcare providers as their primary and most trusted source of information regarding medicine use. Facilitators included trust in healthcare providers, support from partners and family, access to reliable safety information, strengthening pharmacovigilance systems, and conducting drug safety studies. The role of partners in offering financial and emotional support and encouraging medicine adherence was acknowledged. Barriers to medication use during breastfeeding included poor communication and inadequate guidance from healthcare providers, stigma, and concerns about risks from the medicines to the infant. Additionally, unclear drug labeling, inaccessibility of information, and ethical concerns about including breastfeeding women in studies hindered informed decision-making. Recommendations emphasized improving health education, using reliable resources, prescribing safer drugs, timing breastfeeding to minimize medicine risks, and considering non-hormonal contraceptive options to prevent reduced breast milk supply.

conclusionThe study highlights the critical need for improved communication, guidance, and access to reliable information regarding medicine use during breastfeeding. It emphasizes the importance of healthcare provider education, partner involvement, and evidence-based guidelines to support informed decision-making.

Indexed as

Breast FeedingHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeAdultFemaleHealth PersonnelHumansMaleQualitative ResearchStakeholder ParticipationUgandaYoung AdultBreastfeedingInfant healthMedication safetyMedicinesRegulatory

Identifiers

PMID41185042
PMCPMC12581401

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.