A Retrospective Study on the Current Status and Monthly Trends of Human Milk Donation Program for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in a Selected Hospital in Tagum City, Davao Del Norte

Human milk donation supports vulnerable infants by providing safe nutrition when maternal milk is unavailable. This study assessed the current status, monthly trends, donor screening patterns, and milk collection performance of a hospital-based program supporting NICU patients in Tagum City. The study used a descriptive-correlational, retrospective record-based design. Through total enumeration, all complete hospital records from January 2025 to March 2026 were reviewed using a researcher-made data extraction sheet. Frequency, percentage, mean, trend analysis, comparative testing, and correlation analysis were applied to the recorded monthly program indicators for statistical interpretation. A total of 5,934 mothers were screened; 5,634 passed, 300 did not pass, and 2,370 became active donors. The program collected 2,777,013.90 mL and consumed 2,394,348.00 mL. Screening outcomes differed significantly by referral status, while the number screened was not significantly related to monthly milk volume collected during the period. The program demonstrated strong screening performance and substantial NICU milk utilization, but donor activation remained limited and monthly indicators fluctuated. Referral status was significantly associated with screening outcomes, whereas screening more mothers did not ensure greater milk collection. Sustained donor participation and improved program monitoring were therefore considered operationally necessary. The hospital should strengthen referral procedures, immediate donor enrollment, lactation support, donor follow-up, flexible collection schedules, and digital tracking. Monthly monitoring should focus on donor conversion, retention, milk yield, inventory, and NICU demand. A structured development program should institutionalize these strategies, assign clear responsibilities, and evaluate implementation outcomes regularly, systematically.