The study aimed to determine the effects of Lactation Program Advocacy to the improvement of workplace lactation program and lactation station utilization among selected establishments in Zamboanga City. This is a quasi-experimental research design which employed both quantitative and qualitative data using a checklist for DOLE Lactation Station Model and DOH requirements, a self-administered questionnaire, and an open-ended interview guide for Group Interview. A total of twenty-one establishments with a lactation station were included in the study with 122 working mothers recruited to answer the questionnaire for lactation station utilization. Four Group Interviews were done to identify enablers and barriers for the utilization of lactation station. The results showed that 66% of the companies adopted a Model 2 lactation Station, an area within the clinic but shielded from the view by screen or divider. Roughly 10% adopted Model1, a corner shielded with screen or divider. And only two companies were using a Model 3 lactation Station, a private room enclosed separately. Seventeen companies were awarded with Mother Baby Friendly Workplace (MBFW) Certificate by the DOH. However, after the assessment, the data shows that only 8 companies passed the minimum requirements to qualify for MBFW Certification. The results of the questionnaire show that roughly only one out of four (23%) working mothers was utilizing the lactation station. Working mothers cited poor information dissemination, embarrassment to ask permission, insufficient breast milk and inconvenience as the reasons they were not utilizing a lactation station. When mothers were asked of their ideal lactation station that would enable them to utilize it, their main answers were provision of a private lactation station, support from the supervisors and peers, and the availability of lactation equipment. In conclusion, advocating lactation program that is tailored to the needs of the mothers and resources of the company and based on the Workplace provisions of the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 (RA 10028) improves workplace lactation program. The components of this program addressed the identified barriers and enablers of the lactation station utilization. However, there was no change on the utilization of lactation station after a month because of inadequate breast milk supply and the duration of the study made it difficult to evaluate effectiveness of intervention in a short period. Therefore, it is recommended that a study for a longer period of time be conducted to better determine the improvement of Workplace Lactation Program and the utilization of lactation station.

Keyword: Lactation program advocacy Workplace lactation program and lactation station utilization