Abstract
BackgroundThe implementation of the Mother-Baby Friendly Initiative (MBFI) strategy demonstrated its capabilities to improve global children’s health and maternal survival. However, its implementation in primary healthcare (PHC) facilities remains a challenge as many nurses are reluctant to adopt it for the improvement of child and maternal healthcare services in their respective clinics.ObjectivesThe primary objective of this study was to determine the attitudes of nurses towards the implementation of the MBFI in selected PHC facilities in the Makhuduthamaga Municipality, Limpopo province.MethodThis study used a quantitative, descriptive design, and all respondents were conveniently sampled. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. One-hundred and seventy-seven questionnaires were distributed, and 153 nurses responded and completed the questionnaire. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 was used to analyse data.ResultsResults show that the majority of nurses (professional nurses [PNs] = 65, 78%; enrolled nurses [ENs] = 18, 72%; enrolled nursing auxiliaries [ENAs] = 23, 51%) had a positive attitude towards the MBFI strategy implementation as they agreed that it increased breastfeeding rates. Most PNs (n = 58, 70%) and ENs (n = 15, 60%) showed positive attitudes towards exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) as they agreed that it was the ideal feeding option for any child, and most ENAs (n = 38, 84%) showed a negative attitude as they disagreed that EBF was the ideal feeding option for any child.ConclusionIn this study, most PNs and ENs had a positive attitude in all the aspects that determined their attitudes towards MBFI strategy implementation. A concern is the fact that most ENAs showed negative attitudes in almost all the statements that were in line with the principles of MBFI, as they disagreed in most aspects. Therefore, this study recommends that on-going orientation and trainings should be offered to all nurses including ENAs to equip them with information that can assist in changing their attitudes towards MBFI implementation in PHC facilities.
Highlights
Suboptimal breastfeeding practices are estimated to be responsible for 800 000 child deaths annually (Piwoz & Huffman 2015:373)
The results revealed that most PNs (n = 66, 80%) and ENs (n = 16, 64%) had a positive attitude towards the promotion, support and protection of breastfeeding, whereas on the other side a large group of ENAs (n = 34, 89%) had a negative attitude towards the promotion, support and protection of breastfeeding
This study increased our insight on the attitudes of nurses towards the implementation of Mother-Baby Friendly Initiative (MBFI) at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in the Makhuduthamaga Municipality
Summary
Suboptimal breastfeeding practices are estimated to be responsible for 800 000 child deaths annually (Piwoz & Huffman 2015:373). The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) (2015:34) reports that globally, 38% of infants are exclusively breastfed for 6 months but only 31% in sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa, breastfeeding rates remain relatively low (8%), with only 1.5% of infants being exclusively breastfed from birth to 6 months (Shisana et al 2013:18). In response to low breastfeeding rates and increased child mortality rates worldwide, in 1991, the WHO launched the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) to promote and support breastfeeding by ensuring that all women breastfeed their babies and that they receive comprehensive support regarding breastfeeding (Department of Health [DoH] 2014:33; UNICEF/WHO 2018:2). The implementation of the Mother-Baby Friendly Initiative (MBFI) strategy demonstrated its capabilities to improve global children’s health and maternal survival. Its implementation in primary healthcare (PHC) facilities remains a challenge as many nurses are reluctant to adopt it for the improvement of child and maternal healthcare services in their respective clinics
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