Abstract:
Background: The Mother baby friendly initiative (MBFI) is an initiative that was
launched in 1991 as a global programme to create an environment that enables and
supports women to breastfeed their infants, providing advice to mothers and practical
assistance to promote breastfeeding. This initiative plays an important role in
improving infant’s nutritional status, growth, development and health for both mother
and infant and supports exclusive breastfeeding. MBFI aims at increasing
breastfeeding rate by supporting, protecting and promoting breastfeeding in health
facilities.
Aim: of the study is to explore the knowledge and challenges related to the
implementation of the mother-baby friendly initiative at Standerton hospital.
Method: A qualitative descriptive design was used to explore the knowledge and
challenges related to the implementation of the mother-baby friendly initiative at
selected hospital. Purposive sampling of the healthcare providers were the target
population for the study as they are responsible for the implementation of MBFI in the
hospital. In this research, data collected were in a form of interviews, audiotapes and
written notes from interviews. Tesch’s eight steps in data analysis was used to analyse
data.
Results: The studies key theme and sub theme give the study’s findings and
perspective of the issues found. The studies key theme were: 1. Knowledge of
participants on MBFI at Standerton hospital, 2. Views about current practices of MBFI
at Standerton –hospital and 3. Challenges regarding MBFI implementation at
Standerton. MBFI was considered significant in the facility, however, due to
inconsistences and challenges faced by the nurses the initiative was not fully
implemented to improve breastfeeding rates.
Conclusion: the study conclude that nurse’s had some knowledge on the MBFI
initiative as they understood their role in breastfeeding advocacy and enhancing
maternal and child health. There were significant challenges in MBFI implementation
such as shortage of staff, lack of resources and training that hindered MBFI
compliance and mothers not receiving the full benefits of the initiative, which contribute
to decreased breastfeeding rates within the facility.
