scholarly journals Insights on exclusive breastfeeding norms in Kinshasa: findings from a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francine E. Wood ◽  
Anastasia J. Gage ◽  
Dieudonné Bidashimwa

Abstract Background For optimal growth and development, the World Health Organization recommends that children be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life. However, according to the nationally-representative 2013–2014 Demographic and Health Survey, under 50% of babies in the Democratic Republic of Congo are exclusively breastfed. Although breastfeeding was common in the capital city of Kinshasa, one in five newborns received alternatives to breastmilk during the first 3 days of life. This analysis aimed to identify social norms influencing exclusive breastfeeding, the role of a young first-time mother’s (FTM’s) social network for her choice to exclusively breastfeed, and perceived social sanctions associated with breastfeeding practices in Kinshasa. Methods The qualitative analysis was based on a vignette presented during 14 focus group discussions, with a purposively selected sample (n = 162) of FTMs age 15–24, and the male partners, mothers and mothers-in-law of FTMs age 15–24 in three health zones in Kinshasa in 2017. Thematic content analysis was performed to identify concepts and patterns in the participants’ discussions. Results Overall, community norms were not supportive of exclusive breastfeeding. The main barriers to exclusive breastfeeding were the belief held by most FTMs that exclusive breastfeeding was an uncommon practice; the desire to avoid negative sanctions such as name-calling and mockery for refusal to give babies water in the first 6 months of life; the desire to please key members of their social networks, specifically their mothers and friends, by doing what these influencers expected or preferred them to do; FTMs’ own lack of experience with infant feeding; and trust placed in their mothers and friends. Conclusion Social norms can be maintained by the belief about what others do, perceived expectations about what individuals ought to do, the negative sanctions they can face and their preference to conform to social expectations. Thus, addressing cultural beliefs and targeting sensitization efforts to key influencers that provide support to FTMs are needed to promote exclusive breastfeeding in Kinshasa. In doing so, strategies should address the barriers to exclusive breastfeeding including related misconceptions, and improve FTMs’ self-efficacy to overcome the influence of others.

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 328
Author(s):  
Josephine Moshe Ibu ◽  
Euphemia Mbali Mhlongo

Nigeria contributes the highest to the global burden of HIV/AIDS and also accounts for the largest proportion of new vertically transmitted HIV infections among children. The Mentor Mothers program in the Nigerian Department of Defense was introduced in accordance with the World Health Organization and its implementing partner guidelines to curb the high incidence of vertically acquired HIV infections. Understanding the experiences of participants could serve as a gateway to evaluating the effectiveness of the program to better provide quality services within targeted health facilities. This qualitative study employed key informant interviews with six healthcare workers as well as two focus group discussions with six mentor mothers and six prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) patients in four selected hospitals in the Nigerian Department of Defense to explore their experiences of the Mentor Mothers program. A thematic analysis technique was used to analyze the collated data. As a result, four main themes emerged, with the program perceived by most participants as providing psychosocial support to the patients, a valuable educational resource for raising HIV awareness, a valuable resource for promoting exclusive breastfeeding and mitigating vertical transmission of the virus, and functioning as a link between patients and the healthcare system. The participants reported that the program had effectively decreased HIV infections in children, reduced child and maternal mortality, and supported the livelihood and development of women, families, and communities in and around the Nigerian Department of Defense health facilities.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Mahmoud ◽  
Anna TOKAR ◽  
Melissa ARRIAS ◽  
Christos MYLONAS ◽  
Heini UTUNEN ◽  
...  

UNSTRUCTURED As part of its transformation process to meet the health challenges of the 21st century by creating a motivated and fit-for-purpose global workforce, the World Health Organization (WHO) is developing the first-ever global Learning Strategy for health personnel around the world. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were organized as part of in-depth qualitative research on staff views, visions, and suggestions. Due to the pandemic, a flexible, multi-linguistic, participatory, iterative methodology for digitization of face-to-face FDGs to engage a globally dispersed workforce was implemented.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
MUH Begum

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasize the value of breastfeeding for mothers as well as children. Both recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Human breast milk is the healthiest form of milk for babies. Breastfeeding promotes health and helps to prevent diseases including diarrheal diseases. It contains all nutrients including antibodies (IgA),and lactoferrin, that potentially prevent infection and diarrhea in infants and children. Studies conducted in both developed and under developed nations have found that breast feeding is associated with significantly ( upto 64%) less diarrheal disease and the protective effect of breast feeding does not persist beyond two months after breast feeding is stopped. On the other hand, formula fed infants are found an upto 80% increased in the risk of developing diarrhea compared to breast fed infants and there is significantly more diarrheal disease in formula fed infants. Infection may be attributable to contamination of bottles, teats, milk, and food in infants who are not exclusively breastfed. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and there after complementary feedings while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond, enthusiastic support and involvement from clinicians, obstetricians and pediatricians, are essential in “breastfeeding vs formula feeding” issue and to reduce incidence of diarrheal diseases in infants and children. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbcps.v32i1.21033 J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2014; 32: 26-30


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Karima Soamole

Abstract : It is estimated that 80% of mothers who gave birth were able to produce milk in quantities sufficient for the purposes of the baby in full without any additional food and according to the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding until the age of 4-6 months baby. Annually, more than 25,000 babies Indonesia and 1.3 million babies around the world can be saved by exclusive breastfeeding in 1999, while according to the 2000 report, the WHO approximately 1.5 million children die because they are not feeding properly, less than 15% infants worldwide are given for four months of exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding is often inappropriate and unsafe. This research is explanatory research because it explains the relationship between independent variables and dependent variable through hypothesis testing. The method used in this study is a survey method with cross sectional study design. The population in this study are all mothers who breastfeed in Puskesmas Kalumata 2012. Knowledge of the highest in the category of knowledge of both 81 (95.3%) and the behavior of the Exclusive breastfeeding is highest among respondents with a good knowledge of the 55 categories (67.9%). Respondents' attitudes toward breastfeeding Exclusive showed much respondeng that supports 54 (63.5%) and 31 (36.5%) that does not support exclusive breastfeeding her baby. Family Support tehadap respondents in the most exclusive breastfeeding: supporting respondents in exclusive breastfeeding her baby 64 (75.3%) and 21 (24.7%) who did not support the.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1108-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawid Maciorowski ◽  
Samir Z. El Idrissi ◽  
Yash Gupta ◽  
Brian J. Medernach ◽  
Michael B. Burns ◽  
...  

In December of 2019, an outbreak of a novel coronavirus flared in Wuhan, the capital city of the Hubei Province, China. The pathogen has been identified as a novel enveloped RNA beta-coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus SARS-CoV-2 is associated with a disease characterized by severe atypical pneumonia known as coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Typical symptoms of this disease include cough, fever, malaise, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal symptoms, anosmia, and, in severe cases, pneumonia.1 The high-risk group of COVID-19 patients includes people over the age of 60 years as well as people with existing cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes mellitus. Epidemiological investigations have suggested that the outbreak was associated with a live animal market in Wuhan. Within the first few months of the outbreak, cases were growing exponentially all over the world. The unabated spread of this deadly and highly infectious virus is a health emergency for all nations in the world and has led to the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring a pandemic on March 11, 2020. In this report, we consolidate and review the available clinically and preclinically relevant results emanating from in vitro animal models and clinical studies of drugs approved for emergency use as a treatment for COVID-19, including remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, and lopinavir-ritonavir combinations. These compounds have been frequently touted as top candidates to treat COVID-19, but recent clinical reports suggest mixed outcomes on their efficacies within the current clinical protocol frameworks.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Victor Kimpouni ◽  
Jean De Dieu Nzila ◽  
Noël Watha-Ndoudy ◽  
Elodie Charleine Kokolo Bilongo ◽  
Salisou Yallo Mouhamed ◽  
...  

The study was conducted in Brazzaville, and data collection covers the period from May to June 2017. The methodology is based on literature review and floristic and equipment inventory. Nine green spaces spread over two out of nine townships in the capital city. Four are located in Bacongo and five in Poto-Poto. According to the classification standards, 5 squares and 4 gardens were studied. Except for one square, all the others, including the gardens, are planted with trees. The equipment inventory lists 183 benches, including 63.83% permanently and/or partially in the sun, 4 playgrounds, no games for children, and 3 cultural monuments. The flora and health of the trees stands shows 186 trees and 279 shrubs, all corresponding to 26 species. An examination of the health status reveals that 57% of trees show anthropogenic injuries. Floral analysis shows that exotic plants (76.92%) predominate over local plants (23.07%). The average basal area of trees in all green spaces is 1.95 m2·ha−1. The diametric structure is erratic within all green spaces, with a dominance of large diameter subjects. This leads to poor natural regeneration of woody plants. The green spaces in Brazzaville, which are very unevenly distributed within the urban fabric, do not meet the international standards disseminated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and do not fully play their biodiversity conservation and recreational and ecological functions. History of green spaces in Brazzaville states that no creation was born after independence. The existing land has been reduced in size, and the new land has been used for other purposes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 312-319
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Shortis

Background The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life; however, UK breastfeeding rates are some of the lowest worldwide. As such, various interventions have been trialled, aiming to increase breastfeeding rates. Aims To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to increase breastfeeding rates in the UK and determine the features of successful interventions. Methods A literature search was performed, using four databases. The results were refined by applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two additional articles were recognised by scanning the references sections of identified studies, resulting in 12 articles for review. Findings Support-based interventions had predominantly insignificant effects upon breastfeeding rates. Incentives were associated with increases in rates, while combined interventions had mixed success. The interventions were well received by mothers and clinicians and may help to normalise breastfeeding. Conclusions Future interventions should provide targeted, personalised support to overcome breastfeeding difficulties, and reward mothers for their efforts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-221
Author(s):  
Katherine Skiff ◽  
Maria deValpine ◽  
Andrea Knopp

Appropriate breastfeeding has the potential to have the broadest impact on childhood survival in children under 5 years compared with all other preventive interventions. The World Health Organization and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund recommend that all facilities providing maternal services and newborn care have a written policy addressing breastfeeding that is routinely disseminated to staff. A Mara region hospital in rural Tanzania does not have a breastfeeding policy. Collins adapted Bardach’s eightfold path for policy analysis specifically for health policies. This eight-step process was used to evaluate three promising policies to improve breastfeeding in populations in and around this hospital. These policies include exclusive breastfeeding education, complementary food education, and community health worker home visits. Analysis identified exclusive breastfeeding with adjunct complementary food education as the most feasible policies to increase breastfeeding in and around the target hospital. With improved feeding practices, chronic malnutrition rates are expected to decline in the villages that the hospital serves. This methodology can be used by nurses to develop health polices addressing a wide range of health issues in a wide variety of settings.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-83
Author(s):  
Jesmin Sultana ◽  
Muhammad Rabiul Hossain ◽  
Nurun Nahar Fatema Begum ◽  
Nure Ishrat Nazme

 Breastfeeding has been accepted as the most vital intervention for reducing infant mortality and ensuring optimal growth and development of children. Breastfeeding is also considered as the most economical and easily accessible complete nutrition for every new born child1. Poor breastfeeding practices are widespread. It is estimated that sub-optimal breastfeeding, especially non-exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life, results in 1.4 million deaths and 10% of the disease burden in children younger than 5 years of age2. Reviews of studies from developing countries showed that infants who were not breast fed were 6 to 10 times more likely to die in the first months of life than infants who are breast fed3. The World Health Organization has stated that in 2000, only 16% of mothers in Pakistan exclusively breast feed for a period of three months, as compared to other developing countries where the ratio is higher like Bangladesh (46%), India (37%), and Sri Lanka (84%)4. More than 15% of 24 lakh child deaths could be averted in India by optimal breastfeeding practices5. The key to successful breastfeeding is Information, Education and Communication (IEC) strategies aimed at behavior change6. The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) strongly recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life7. Variables that may influence breastfeeding include race, maternal age, maternal employment, level of education of parents, socio-economic status, insufficient milk supply, infant health problems, method of delivery, maternal interest and other related related factors8,9. Over the last decade, overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the integral role of breastfeeding in the survival, growth and development of a child, as well as the health and well-being of a mother has come to light10. Different studies were designed at national and international level to explore the knowledge, attitude and practices (kap) towards breastfeeding among postnatal mothers and factors that determine them1. Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.11(2) 2015: 76-83


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